How to Grow Parsley
Petroselinum crispum
Parsley is a versatile cool-season herb prized for its fresh flavor in salads and cooked dishes. Gardeners grow it to add brightness to meals while enjoying a plant that tolerates light frosts and thrives in partial shade.
📷 Wikipedia: ParsleyStarting Parsley: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Parsley is not usually started indoors.
Direct sow seeds outdoors or start indoors early; if starting indoors, harden off seedlings before moving them outside after the last frost date.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Sow seeds indoors or directly outdoors 2-6 weeks before the last spring frost, as this cool-season crop tolerates light cold. Press seeds gently into the soil surface without covering them deeply since they need light to germinate. Expect sprouts in 14 to 28 days.
Space plants 6 to 10 inches apart to ensure good air circulation. Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged, as parsley requires consistent moisture. Apply a thin layer of mulch around the base to retain water and suppress weeds. Feed lightly if growth slows, though this herb generally needs minimal fertilization.
Watch for aphids or flea beetles; encourage beneficial insects or wash leaves with water to manage them. Harvest outer leaves once plants reach maturity, typically 70-90 days after sowing. Cut stems just above a leaf node to encourage continued growth and maintain the plant's health throughout the season.
When to Plant 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 |
| Zone 10 | January | — | April – December |
| Zone 11 | January | — | March – December |
