How to grow Parsley?
- Latin Family: Apiaceae
- Latin Genus: Petroselinum
- Ease of Growing: Moderate
- Growing Type: Annual
Parsley is a short lived biennial grown as an annual. It's commonly divided into two types, a curly leaf and a flat leaf.
Because Parsley is a biennial you only have to plant it once in the spring of every year. You can then harvest leaves from the same plants all season long without having to worry that it is going to bolt or turn bitter.
Videos
Parsley History
This native of the Mediterranean region was used by the ancient Greeks for medicine, to decorate the tombs of the dead, and to adorn athletic champions (they didn't eat it though). It's believed that Charlemagne grew it on his estate and popularized it for use as a food. It was introduced into American gardens in the 1700's.
In modern times parsley is perhaps best known as a garnish that isn't actually eaten, yet it actually has a very nice and distinctive flavor.
Soil Preference
- PH (min/max): 5.5 - 7.0
- PH Ideal (min/max): 6.0 - 6.5
Parsley prefers a rich, well-drained soil.
How to care for Parsley?
Parsley is a pretty independent plant and doesn't require much attention. Just keep it well watered and weeded.
Water
Parsley likes moist soil. If you think the plants might need water they probably do.
Fertilizer
Parsley prefers a fertile soil with lots of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
Seeds
Seed Viability: 2 - 4 years
Germination Percentage: 70.0
Parsley is a biennial and will flower and set seed in the spring of its second year. I just brush the ripe seeds into a paper bag (watch them carefully as they will fall when fully ripe) and dry them in a warm dry place (the greenhouse works well).
Parsley produces an abundance of seed and will self-sow if you let it.
Light
Sun: min. 6 hours daily
Full sun or partial shade.
Conditions:Cold, Cool, Warm
Season:Short Season, Long Season
Storage
Parsley can be dried for later use, though it loses a lot of its flavor. Hang it in bunches or lay it out on a screen to dry. When it is thoroughly dry it can be stored in an air tight container. It is absolutely essential that is thoroughly dry though, otherwise it will mold (if you see any condensation inside the closed jar it is not dry enough).
Storage Req: Dry, Drying
Storage Temp: °F
Storage Length: 1-90 days
Parsley is best used fresh straight from the garden. If you want to pamper your parsley, it can be washed, wrapped in cotton towel and kept in the refrigerator for up to one week.
If you don't want to pamper it, just put it in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.
Storage Req: Refrigerator
Storage Temp: 35-40°F
Storage Length: 1-7 days
Freezing is the best way to store parsley and retain the full fresh flavor (much better than drying). Blanch quickly, until the color brightens and then remove from the water. Dip in a bath of ice water to cool. Remove stems and chop leaves to a fine texture. Place in a freezer container and cover with water. Ice cube trays work best because they gives you individual servings.
Storage Req: Freezer
Storage Temp: 0°F
Storage Length: 1-60 days
Problems
Caterpillars
Hand pick caterpillars from parsley plants and nearby.
Parsley Types
- Curly Leaf
- Italian Parsley
Ruffled leaves on a stem 8 to 12" long. This is the most attractive type to use as a garnish, and is milder in flavor to the flat leaved types.
This type has flat leaves like those of the wild plant. Some gourmet chefs say this has a superior flavor to that of the curly types. Some people prefer to grow this type because it can be easier to cultivate.
Pests
- Deer
- Carrot Weevil
- Carrot Rust Fly
- Leafhoppers
- Leafminers
- Rats and Mice
- Slugs and snails
- Japanese Beetle
- Aphids
- Armyworms
- Corn Earworm
- Tarnished Plant Bug
Diseases
- Damping Off
Related Plants
Greens, Juicing
Sprouts
Seacale
Kohlrabi
Collards
Anise
Caraway
Cumin
Cauliflower
Culantro