Family: Apiaceae
Binomial name: Petroselinum spp.
Life Cycle: Biennial (usually grown as an annual)
Parsley can be grown year-round in most climates. Avoid planting in extremely hot or cold weather which can affect germination and growth. Use the table below to identify the best time of year to sow parsley in your climate.
JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cool | ||||||||||||
Temperate | ||||||||||||
Sub-Tropical | ||||||||||||
Tropical | ||||||||||||
Arid |
Parsley plants are best grown in full sun or part shade. Choose a location that will receive at least 3 hours of full sun each day.
Parsley plants need a well drained soil enriched with plenty of organic matter. Prepare soil by weeding it thoroughly, digging it over to loosen it and adding aged animal manure or compost. Keep the area free of weeds until planting.
Parsley plants can be grown in containers. If possible choose a variety that’s recommended for container growing. Use a good quality potting mix and make sure your container is large enough for mature plants; a minimum of 40 litres is recommended for parsley. During the growing season, keep in mind that container grown plants may need additional fertiliser to encourage healthy growth.
Parsley seeds do not require any treatment (eg soaking, stratification) before sowing.
Parsley seeds can be sown directly into the garden OR seedlings can be raised in trays or other containers and transplanted to the garden once established.
Parsley is a cool season crop that will bolt in very hot weather. Do not transplant seedlings or sow seeds outside in very warm temperatures.
Tip: Parsley seeds can also be sown in the less formal ‘scatter seed’ method. Simply roughen the soil, scatter seeds evenly over the surface, then smooth the soil over lightly to cover the seeds.
Parsley plants need regular watering during the growing season. Water when the soil is dry about 5cm below the surface (test this by scratching away a little soil with your finger). Water deeply in the early morning or late afternoon. Avoid watering the leaves of plants to avoid fungal diseases. Learn more about watering here.
If soil was well prepared no extra fertiliser should be necessary. In poor soil or to give your plants an extra boost, application of a high-nitrogen fertiliser or one formulated for leafy greens or herbs can be beneficial:
Optional: To give plants room to grow, thin seedlings when they are large enough to handle. Pull out any weak or small seedlings so plants are spaced about 30-40cm apart.
Tip: To prolong the life of the plant, remove flower stalks as soon as they appear.
Parsley should be ready to harvest in approximately 100-130 days.
Leaves are ready to harvest when they are large enough to eat, and can be harvested as needed. Harvest leaves by pinching off the outer leaves, leaving some on the plant for future growth. Eat leaves as soon as possible after harvesting. Store leaves short term in a perforated plastic bag in the fridge. For longer term storage, leaves can be frozen whole or chopped and frozen in ice cube trays.
Like all plants, parsley is susceptible to some pests, diseases and other problems. Below is a list of the most common problems gardeners encounter when growing parsley plants: