HerbsApiaceae

Parsley.

Cool seasonWarm seasonPollinator magnet
At a glance

The spec sheet.

Indoor start
Feb (slow to germinate)
Direct sow / out
Apr 15 – May
Germ
14–30 days
Days to harvest
70
Spacing
6"
Depth
¼"
Square-foot
4 per square
Qty target
6–8 plants for regular kitchen use.

Plant

Transplant seedlings. Flat-leaf (Italian) parsley has more flavor than curly.

Care

Consistent water; cut regularly to encourage new growth. Let a plant or two flower in year 2 — pollinators love the umbels.

Harvest

Cut outer stems from the base. Plant is biennial — heavy harvest first year, bolts and seeds in year 2.

Preserve

Frozen in ice cube trays with oil. Dried leaves lose flavor fast.

Companion planting

What parsley likes, and doesn’t.

Avoid nearby

  • Lettuce (crowds it out)