Melinda Myers

Parsley

Botanical Name

Petroselinum crispum

Hardiness

Biennial used as an annual

Height

6 to 12 inches

Width

12 to 15 inches

Flowers

Early summer: greenish-yellow (not effective)

Light

Full sun to part shade

Soil

Moist, well-drained

Planting & Care

• Optimum soil temperature for parsley germination is 75 F
• Soaking seeds in warm water for a day before sowing will help speed up this notoriously slow germinating plant. Sow directly outside after the last frost date has passed. Plant seeds 1/8 inch deep.
• Thin seedlings to 10 to 12 inches apart when they are 2 to 3 inches tall
• Seeds can also be started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before planting outside
• Harden off transplants and wait until all danger of frost has passed before planting outside
• Continually harvesting foliage encourages new, fresh growth throughout the growing season
• Start new plants every year for best flavor

Problems

None serious

Varieties

• Forest Green - not as deeply cut or curled
• Clivi - dwarf, lower leaves stay green
• Pagoda - dark green foliage
• Petroselinum crispum var. neapolitanum - Italian flat parsley