Herb - Parsley - HerbDay2007
Parsley (Latin name - Petroselinum crispum) - Annual
Plant Height - 15cm/ 6″
Where to Sow - Indoors in pots 7.5cm/3″ diameter
or sow thinly outside in the garden. Germination of parsley is very slow, so pour boiling water over the seed row to heat it up, or bruise the seed.
Sowing time - February/April - temperature +16C/61F
How to Sow Parsley-
- very thinly
- in a soil-based compost, not peat
- sow 6mm/0.25inches deep
- water sparingly so just moist but not wet
After Germination
- water sparingly so just moist but not wet
- place in light position (out of direct sunlight)
- thin to 1 plant per pot when the plants are about 2.5cm/1″ tall.
Growing on Parsley
- harden off indoor raised plants
- move outside when no longer a danger of frost
- when plants are established with a good root system, divide into separate plants and either:
plant in pots - 1 plant per 7.5cm/3″ pot.
or plant in ground - into well drained soil 20cm/8″ apart.
prefers semi-shade & rich, well-worked soil.
harvest stems from the outside of the plant so young growth in the centre can flourish
Uses of Parsley
- as garnish or in parsley sauce.
- 2 varieties of parsley: curled - for garnish; flat-leaved - better flavour
- rich in vitamin C - has 3 times more than oranges
- has almost as much vitamin A as cod liver oil
- stems contain more flavour + vitamins than the foliage
Please let us know how you use parsley, in the comments below.
Click this link for a parsley grow card




Hi, I like parsley as a herb. It seems to flavour foods without being too strong. It seems to mix with other herbs as well.
I know the old folks tale was that tea made from the crushed seeds killed what used to be called ’scalp vermin’. Not a pretty subject I know, and I’ll never know if it worked. Trisha
Comment by Trisha - September 21, 2007 6:28 pm
Hi Trisha
That is interesting - I have not heard about that use for parsley before. Thanks for passing it on. TopVeg
Comment by TopVeg - September 21, 2007 6:52 pm