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

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27 Jun 19, Randall Quested (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi. What ph is suitable for parsley? Cheers thanks.
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30 Jun 19, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Parsley will grow in a pH range between 5.6 (acidic) and 7.5 (neutral) with a preferred range between 6.0 and 7.0.
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29 Mar 19, Joanne Townshend. (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Do the hadedas (Egyptian ibis) destroy parsley
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30 Nov 18, Brigitte (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Is there a difference between 'bolting' and 'going to seed'? Our parsely was wonderful for quite a long time then large thicker stalks started to appear with sparse leaves, no flower heads that I could detect. I cut off the stalks as close to base as possible but more are appearing.
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02 Dec 18, Mike (New Zealand - temperate climate)
They mean the same thing - bolting to seed. If it is an annual it is coming to the end of it's life and setting seed.
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06 Mar 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am no expert and have usually grown most things from seedlings. Last year I started trying to grow a lot more from seed. I had a couple of parsley plants from seeds last year. My experimenting has lead to this practice. I made a 1m stand at the back of my shed - on the north side. I have 4 Styrofoam boxes on it. I fill the boxes with a mix of sand soil and compost etc. I then put some good really munched up potting mix on the top (about 25cm) - it is quite fine nearly like rough sand/soil. I plant my seeds and then put some more potting mix on top. I have enclosed the whole thing with shade cloth - about 600mm above the boxes to just blow the box bottom (keeps the birds out and provides shade - cooling in hot weather at the moment). I have set up a spray line above the boxes. I plant the seeds and just put the spray line on for 15-20 seconds a day. I have about 80-90% germination of white onion, leeks and red onions in the last 2 weeks or so. The points from above - keep soil moist and cool and don't disturb the soil and water with heavy watering.
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31 Dec 17, Trudi (Australia - temperate climate)
Can you freeze parsley
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04 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try doing it - put into a few bundles and say try using it after a week - a fortnight and a month.
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04 Jan 18, Lloyd (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Yes. Wash it first. Let it dry. Take the leaves off the stems. put it through a kitchen whiz. Store in airtight containers in the freezer. When required for soups etc,.scrape the parsley directly into the soup.
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27 Dec 17, Thabani Mazibuko (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
what other cultivars of parsley beside; flat leaf variety and curley leaf variety that can grow well in Southern Africa? where can i get at least four(4) of the parley varieties to research on
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Showing 11 - 20 of 81 comments
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In our region we are having trouble growing parsley over the past couple yrs. Many gardeners say they used to have large plants and self sown used to come up all over the place. Not any more.. Plants are soi small even if they do start to grow. This is most gardens. Would it be the hot summer [44degrees atr times] We sow in Spring but very little success. What is wrong.

- doug

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