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

19 Apr 12, Daniel (USA - Zone 6a climate)
Okay, first off. What is the fertilizer ratio for parsley. Second off my tip to you is to find out the acceptable fertilizer ratio of every plant. Other than that this website is pretty useful.
07 May 12, valerie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Very cold winters - where do I plant/grow parsley - indoors how? Do i put it in the sun during the day and under cover at night!
13 Jun 13, Micky (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
We farm in the Ermelo weather district which is also freezing cold between April and September and I grow parsley with success outside in the veggie patch. They do grow best when protected from wind like in a sunny courtyard, but they seem to be quite hardy and resistant to anything but drought. My grandmother used to grow her's in large steel drums and they just boomed. She also added used (cooled) teabags to her parsley and that seemed to make them grow even better. It works well for garden mint (the common variety) as well.
07 Jan 13, Brina (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I've just recently potted some Afro parsley, which was eaten by a possum, and now an Italian leaf parsley, which just last night was eaten by a possum. My question is that because it leaves the stems, can my parsley keep growing with new leaves?
07 Jan 13, Jake (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have a little possum problem. He takes mint, passion fruit leaves, bean leaves but not the beans, strawberries and geraniums. All mine have grown back. I have even taken to hanging some plants where it is impossible for him to get to now as I haven't gotten a strawberry yet. I would move the plant ant see what happens.
08 Jan 13, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Yes, it will probably sprout from the base. Also, you could have delicious parsley-flavoured roast possum!
10 Jan 13, Ferran (Australia - arid climate)
I have a possum that reigns over our our back garden because of a liquid amber, in Australia possums are protected. luckily it leaves the front and side gardens alone, only works if you have room. the palsy should come back. cutting of a few steams so it has less to keep alive may work as it did on my passion fruit.
15 Mar 13, Wendy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Dee ... how often should the molasses spray be used to deter them. Thanks
26 Mar 13, Sonnyboy Malaza (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
in which regions/places can i grow parsley in south africa?
13 Jun 13, Micky (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Parsley grows just about everywhere. It's resistant to cold weather, but don't like dry and too hot places. If you live in an arid area rather grow them in a courtyard where they are shielded from the worst sun or keep them well watered in the herb patch as they wilt quite quickly during hot months. To keep the soil from drying out in summer pack used (cooled) teabags around the parsley or chips of bark. As long as they are kept well hydrated (not over watered) you should be able to grow parsley successfully.
Showing 21 - 30 of 79 comments

I would like some advice on how to produce parsley and mint with large leaves and vigorous growth. Mine are both a bit tentative looking! I do feed them with cow manure but possibly not often enough? I would appreciate help on this many thanks Lindsay

- Lindsay Sutherland

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