Guide to growing Parsley - Petroselinum

The herb Parsley is a member of the Petroselinum genus and is beloved by chefs.

Parsley can reach a height of 15 to 45cm and is usually grown as an hardy annual.

Parsley is actually a hardy perennial and will flower in its second year if allowed.

The leaves of parsley can be removed at any time before flowering occurs (spring time).

As with most herbs parsley is best used fresh; curley varieties are usually the bast to use raw, whilst flat leaved parsleys are great for cooking with. Parsley can also be frozen, be sure to clean and dry the parsley thoroughly before freezing.

How to grow Parsley

For a prolonged growing and harvesting period start the parsley plants off indoors by sowing into peat pots in the second half of winter. First soak the parsley seeds for a day in water, sow at a depth of 6mm, then germinate in the dark at about 20 degrees centigrade. It should take about 3 to 6 weeks for Parsley to germinate. The plants should then be grown in an area where it will receive plenty of light at a temperature of 20 degrees. The plants can be transferred outdoors about 20cm apart at the start of spring before the last frost has occurred.

If starting Parsley (Petroselinum) outdoors then sow at a depth of 6mm before the last frost of spring. Parsley is able to grow in either lightly shaded or sunny parts of the garden. The soil should be slightly acidic (pH 5.5 to 6.5) and richly manured.

Caring for Parsley

Once growing Parsley should be fertilised once they reach about 12cm in height; a month later feed them again. In midsummer mix some fresh compost into the ground that the parsley is growing in.