How to Grow Curly Parsley
Brassica oleracea
Curly Parsley is a versatile herb valued for its distinctive leaf texture and fresh flavor in salads and garnishes. Gardeners appreciate its ability to thrive in cool conditions and provide continuous harvests throughout the growing season.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsStarting Curly Parsley: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Curly Parsley is not usually started indoors.
Direct sow seeds outdoors two to six weeks before the last frost date rather than starting indoors and transplanting.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 before sowing. Since this is a cool-season crop, sow seeds directly outdoors or start indoors two to six weeks before your last spring frost. Press seeds lightly into the surface without covering them deeply, as they need light to germinate. Expect sprouting in fourteen to twenty-eight days.
Space plants six to eight inches apart to ensure proper air circulation and growth. While parsley does not require support or trellising, keep soil consistently moist with about one inch of water weekly. Apply a layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Feed lightly if growth slows during peak production.
Watch for aphids, carrot fly, spider mites, crown rot, leaf blight, and powdery mildew. Prevent issues by ensuring good airflow, watering at the soil level, and inspecting leaves regularly. Harvest curly parsley fifty-five days after sowing by snipping outer stems as needed to encourage bushy growth.
When to Plant Curly Parsley
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April – May | — | July – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | — | July – October |
| Zone 5 | March – April | — | June – October |
| Zone 6 | March – April | — | June – November |
| Zone 7 | February – March | — | June – November |
| Zone 8 | February – March | — | May – December |
| Zone 9 | January – February | — | April – December |
Companion Plants for Curly Parsley
✓ Good companions
Parsley repels asparagus beetles while asparagus provides light shade for parsley
Parsley improves carrot growth and flavor while carrots help loosen soil for parsley roots
Both herbs repel aphids and other pests while sharing similar growing conditions
Both plants work together to repel nematodes and various garden pests
Parsley deters pepper pests and attracts beneficial predatory insects
Parsley attracts beneficial insects that help control rose pests like aphids
Parsley improves strawberry growth and helps repel harmful insects
Parsley repels tomato hornworms and aphids while improving tomato flavor
✗ Keep away from
Cross-pollination can affect seed production and flavor of both herbs
Both compete for similar nutrients and parsley can inhibit lettuce germination
Aggressive spreading nature can overwhelm parsley and compete for nutrients
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
