Most people don’t realise that the Common parsley is actually a member of the carrot family. Parsley tends to be grown in every herb garden. There are 2 types of parsley variety curly and flat leaved also known as French parsley. But they are grown the same way.
The curly varieties are often the most decorative and the plain leaved variety often has the best flavour.
Even though parsley can be grown as a biennial, it is usually grown as an annual because it tends to run to seed in the second year. Also sometimes the parsley plants can die if the winters are very cold.
Parsley is actually very easy to grow and can be easily grown in containers or in your garden throughout the year.
Growing Parsley – Where to grow
Parsley prefers a sunny position from where it can receive direct light for at least 6 hours a day. Parsley can tolerate some light shade. Parsley will grow better if it’s grown in well enriched and free draining soil. The soil needs to be rich in organic matter, with a pH of around 6.0-7.0.
Parsley germination time is extremely slow. But unless you buy plants from your local nursery or garden centre then seed propagation is the only way to start growing parsley.
It is important to use fresh parsley seed each year because the germination rate rapidly decreases as the seed ages. By using fresh seed every year you have a much better chance of growing parsley.
To help the germination to go a bit quicker it actually helps to soak the parsley seed in warm water for 24hours before sowing.
There are 2 ways to sow parsley. Parsley seeds can be sown indoors in seeds trays it needs warmth to germinate so either place the tray in a propagator or in a greenhouse or coldframe.
It can be sown around 8 – 10 weeks before the last frosts in your area.
Or the seeds can be sown directly in to the soil where you want to grow them, but you need to sow them after the danger of spring frosts have passed.
Sow the seeds and cover lightly with soil, and keep them moist but not wet. As the parsley appears the seedlings will almost look like grass. You can either thin the parsley or transplant the seedlings when they are around 2” high. Parsley grows fairly big so the final spacing should be around 8” apart.
Growing Parsley – Planting Out
Once the parsley plants are large enough to be planted outside – around 3-4” high – you have to prepare the soil.
Make sure you dig the soil well and incorporate as much manure or organic matter such as compost as possible. Also scatter some bonemeal to the top layer of soil.
When parsley is planted out in good soil it becomes a very low maintenance and easy plant to grow.
Looking after the parsley
Once established parsley grows fairly quickly but it does have shallow roots. This means the plants need regular watering and fertilizing.
Give the parsley plants a good watering once a week. Don’t let the plants dry out between waterings. If parsley dries out too often it has a tendency to run to seed. You should also give the parsley plants a light mulch around the base of the plants with some grass clippings which will help retain moisture and keep weeds down to a minimum.
You can fertilize the parsley plants once or twice during the growing season, using a general garden fertilizer. Or you can use a liquid fertilizer – use half the recommended strength on the label every month for parsley grown in containers.
Parsley Pests
Parsley doesn’t usually get any pests or diseases. Occasionally it gets infected with greenfly – you can then spray it with derris.
Growing Parsley in Containers
Parsley is a brilliant plant to grow in any type of container – there are pots that are made specially for growing parsley in. No special care is necessary – just keep the pots in a sunny spot and feed frequently with a liquid plant food, and make sure the pot compost is kept moist – as otherwise the parsley will bolt.
Parsley Uses
Parsley leaves are very attractive. Parsley is used I many dishes either as a garnish or to flavour foods. It’s also a favourite with fish dishes. Home grown parsley tastes even better then shop bought parsley.
