Growing Parsley, also curly leaf parsley or flat leaf (Italian) parsley

Petroselinum crispum : Apiaceae / the umbelliferae family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S                  
      T                
      P P P            

(Best months for growing Parsley in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 8 - 12 inches apart
  • Harvest in 9-19 weeks. Cut stalks from outer part of plant.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Carrots, Chives, Tomatoes, Asparagus
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

11 Apr 11, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Cut off the yellow stems( right down close to the base) to give it a fresh start and give it plenty of water.
18 Apr 11, Michelle (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Have tried growing parsley at two different houses now and it has been completely eaten by something in both locations. I am thinking a possum? Is there a way to avoid it being eaten? Is it possible to grow it indoors? Thanks!
16 May 11, arthur (Australia - temperate climate)
18 apr Hi Michelle, just a thought. give them a treat put some pepper over it and around it.that may cure them.They have agood sense of smell I can not see it doing them any harm,it work with cats. Arthur
08 Nov 11, Dee (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Michelle I've heard that a good possum deterrent is to mix a cup of molasses into one litre of water and spray it over new foliage. Apparently it also works for grasshoppers and caterpillars too.
20 May 14, Richard (Australia - temperate climate)
A few years back in Albany WA there was a lady there who used dog hair to pack into a stocking which she tied to a stake next to her plants. I thought it was weird but it does seem to work. Possums didn't like the scent (and no it wasn't smellable to humans).
18 Apr 11, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
It grows really well in a pot. Perhaps you can put wire netting over a pot to protect it.
22 Apr 11, Terry (Australia - temperate climate)
I have also had problems with possums eating my parsley - I put bird netting over the plants which has worked so far.
17 Jan 12, amanda (Australia - temperate climate)
in early spring I had a happy parsley living in a full sun garden bed. however it was growing out of control and i cut it back. now all i have is a large parsley plant in seed with very little edible leaves for cooking. what should i do to stop seed and promote healthy edible leaves again?
16 Feb 12, Robbie (Australia - temperate climate)
I think you should collect your seed and plant it the old gone is finished.
15 Mar 12, Annymus (USA - Zone 10a climate)
Parsley grows really well in the US (west Coast). It's a little difficult to start from seed but once it starts producing, it is wonderful. After cutting it down (harvesting the leaves), it just grows back again. It just keeps growing until it freezes in the winter. I grow moss curled parsley.
Showing 11 - 20 of 79 comments

Hi Michelle I've heard that a good possum deterrent is to mix a cup of molasses into one litre of water and spray it over new foliage. Apparently it also works for grasshoppers and caterpillars too.

- Dee

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