Parsley
Petroselinum crispum
Parsley is a biennial herb usually grown as an annual for leaves, with seed that germinates slowly over 14–28 days. A patient moist seedbed beats repeated premature resowing that crowds the row. Hardy plants tolerate cool spring soil, and usable leaves often build over 70–90 days from sowing with steady moderate moisture.
Plant family Apiaceae · Also called garden parsley
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Allow slow seed in a moist bed.
Direct sow about 0.6 cm deep outdoors from four weeks before the last frost through the frost date, or start indoors 8–10 weeks before frost. Germination may take 14–28 days.
Hardy plants tolerate cool spring soil. The key tip stresses keeping the seedbed moist without assuming failure at day ten.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Space plants for repeated leaf cuts.
Thin to 15–20 cm between plants with rows about 30 cm. Leafy clumps regrow after cutting outer stems.
Containers need 20 cm depth and about 5 litres. Deep pots buffer moisture swings that disrupt slow germination.
Core measurements
Crop-level planning range.
Crop-level planning range.
Crop-level planning range.
Crop-level planning range.
Allow for the mature form of the selected variety.
Install support early when it is required or useful.
Keep emergence evenly moist.
Four hours of direct sun minimum. Parsley tolerates part shade better than many Mediterranean herbs.
Moderate water at 25–35 mm weekly with pH 5.5–7.0. Even moisture during the long germination window is critical.
Sunlight
Part sun tolerant (4+ direct-sun hours/day)
Soil pH
A suitable acidity range for general growth.
Weekly water
Moderate water need.
Aim for even moisture and water deeply when the upper 2-3 cm of soil begins to dry.
Plan for a long sowing-to-harvest wait.
Leaves are plentiful in 70–90 days from sowing. Cut outer stems first to keep the crown producing.
Succession every 21 days can overlap plantings for continuous supply through cool months.
Read with the full crop profile.
Read with the full crop profile.
Read with the full crop profile.
Read with the full crop profile.
Germination is naturally slow, so keep the seedbed moist and do not reseed too early.
Parsley growing questions
Why is parsley seed slow to sprout?
Germination is listed as 14–28 days; the key tip says to keep the bed moist and avoid early resowing.
Is parsley a perennial crop?
Life cycle is biennial usually grown as an annual for leaf harvest.
Can parsley be started indoors?
Indoor start 8–10 weeks before the last frost is listed alongside direct sowing.
What succession interval applies?
21 days between sowings where seasons allow.
Profile values are crop-level planning ranges compiled from sources S2,S3,S4. Local climate and variety can change actual results.
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