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 S S S            
        T T T          
      P P P P          

(Best months for growing Parsley in Australia - tropical 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

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12 Oct 16, Robyn (Australia - temperate climate)
Something is eating my parsley seedlings. Any suggestions?
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28 Apr 16, nombulelo (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Where can i get it
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27 Apr 16, Dan in the Garden (Australia - temperate climate)
I grow a continuous supply of flat leaf parsley to make tabouli. It's such a healthy salad. The parsley takes the iron out of my soil and converts it into a form I can eat. A glass of orange juice helps your body absorb it.
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24 Apr 16, Marg (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
After losing my favourite curly leaf parsley and unable to replace it at present, I bought an Afro parsley. I find the leaves frail and wonder whether I should cut the tops off or pull leaves out.
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08 Nov 15, JP (Australia - tropical climate)
I live in Cairns and my garden faces north which means I get the full sun all day long. There are children running about so I can't plant any plants with thorns or sharp edges. I love colour as I am a happy person. What would you advise me to plant?
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28 Oct 15, Anne Gibson, The Micro Gardener (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
That depends on whether you want more leaves or free seeds from your plant. Once the stalk starts to appear, parsley is entering its old age stage of life! This can happen early if it has been under water stress. You can slow the process down by snipping the stem off at the base. Use these leaves and stem as normal or as a celery substitute (they're cousins!) I try to always have multiples of the same plant so I can allow some to go to flower & seed, while still harvesting others. If you don't have this luxury and this is your only parsley plant, now's the time to sow new seedlings so they have time to catch up by the time your plant is producing seeds. Hope this helps.
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27 Oct 15, Fiona (Australia - temperate climate)
My parsley is growing what appears to be stalks that will lead to flowers. Should I allow them to grow or cut them off to promote leaf growth? Thanks in advance :)
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29 Sep 14, sammie (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi my flat leaf parsley is flowering, what dose this mean?
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29 Oct 14, Genevieve (Australia - temperate climate)
After flowering the seeds will form and when they dry, it will scatter them around the area. Some months later you find parsley seedlings popping up, you can thin or leave them to grow in a big block.
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27 Feb 14, barry (Australia - temperate climate)
my flat leaf parsley plant droops and the leaves turn yellow.
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Showing 31 - 40 of 81 comments
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That depends on whether you want more leaves or free seeds from your plant. Once the stalk starts to appear, parsley is entering its old age stage of life! This can happen early if it has been under water stress. You can slow the process down by snipping the stem off at the base. Use these leaves and stem as normal or as a celery substitute (they're cousins!) I try to always have multiples of the same plant so I can allow some to go to flower & seed, while still harvesting others. If you don't have this luxury and this is your only parsley plant, now's the time to sow new seedlings so they have time to catch up by the time your plant is producing seeds. Hope this helps.

- Anne Gibson, The Micro Gardener

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