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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24 Sep 17, Arthur (Australia - temperate climate)
When's the best time to sow seed into ground for a winter crop of parsley
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07 Mar 17, Richard Dinkha (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
When is the best time to grow the Italian Parsley?.
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08 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Parsley seed can be sown any time between September and May. Curly and Italian (flat leaved) parsley are variations of the same plant. Seeds are slow to germinate and can take 3-5 weeks. Refer to the Gardenate Planting Guide for more details. Parsley is a biennial which means it has a two year life cycle. In the second year it will flower and seed. let one plant go to seed and drop its seed. you will end up with many seedlings as replacements. Trust this helps.
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11 Jan 17, Robert Anderson (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Does soaking the seeds help with germination?
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02 Feb 17, Karen (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I get my seeds on-line
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10 Dec 16, Maria (Australia - temperate climate)
why is my Italian flat leaf parsley plant not from seeds looking pale green and red around leaf edges and can I put season.
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09 Dec 16, Maria (Australia - temperate climate)
Why is my Italian flat leaf parsley looking pale green and red around leaf edges its planted in a big pot and can I put seasol.
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25 Oct 16, Barry G (Australia - temperate climate)
I have had a fantastic crop of Italian parsley this season (2016). Late Oct the stalks are 70 plus cms high. Should I cut them out and remove seeds or just leave them to self seed for another crop? Thanks. Barry G. Sth Aust.
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15 Oct 16, Robyn (Australia - temperate climate)
I found that happened to one lot of parsley. This time I have watered it a bit less and only given it sun for part of the day. It is planted in pots so I can move it around. When it did actually grow it was being eaten as well so I bought some chicken wire and created a barrier around the pots in case it was the possums eating it. So far so good. Did I mention I have snail bait lightly sprinkled around the potting mix. By moving it around I hope to also deter earwigs etc. However I still don't know what was eating it.
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28 Oct 16, Bob Dobbs (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Robyn. Possums love parsley. They have decimated my parsley plants in the different houses I have lived in and I have often heard my friends 'cursing' the possums for eating their own parsley plants.. Your chicken wire barriers will do the trick. I did something similar. Bob
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Showing 21 - 30 of 81 comments
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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).

- Richard

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