Parsley
Petroselinum crispum
Parsley is a biennial herb grown as an annual for its flat or curly leaves, widely used in European cooking. It has notoriously slow germination - often taking 4-6 weeks - but once established produces prolifically from a sunny or lightly shaded spot. Flat-leaved (French) parsley has better flavour; curly types are more ornamental and slightly hardier.
Key facts
- Family
- Apiaceae (Umbellifers)
- Category
- Herb
- Sowing window
- Feb–Jul
- Sowing depth
- 5 mm
- Watering
- medium
- Frost sensitivity
- medium
- Days to maturity
- Approx 12 weeks to first harvest
- Harvest window
- May - Nov
Sowing notes
- -Germination is slow - 3-6 weeks; soak seeds overnight to improve germination
- -Biennial grown as annual or biennial
- -Curly and flat-leaf (French) types both grown the same way
Varieties
Flat-leaved (Italian) parsley is widely considered to have a stronger, more complex flavour than curly types and is preferred in most European cuisines. It is more vigorous and productive than curly parsley but slightly less frost-hardy. The flat, slightly glossy leaves are easier to chop and use than the tightly curled type.
Moss Curled is the classic tightly curled parsley widely used as a garnish and herb. It is slightly milder in flavour than flat-leaved types but more frost-hardy and longer-lasting as a decorative garden plant. The dense, ruffled leaves hold water and dry more slowly after rain.
Issues & threats
Wilting
EnvironmentalPlants are drooping or losing vigour. Most commonly caused by water stress but can also indicate root damage, vascular disease, or heat scorch. Identifying the cause quickly is important as some causes are serious.
Poor germination
EnvironmentalSeeds are emerging unevenly or not at all. Usually caused by soil temperature being too low, seeds sown too deep, poor seed-to-soil contact, or old seed stock.
Damping off
Fungal diseasePythium spp. / Phytophthora spp.
Young seedlings collapse at or just below soil level, caused by fungal pathogens that thrive in overwatered, poorly ventilated growing conditions. Can spread rapidly through a seed tray.
Yellowing leaves
EnvironmentalLeaves are turning yellow, which can indicate a range of problems including nutrient deficiency, overwatering, disease, or natural senescence. Identifying whether the pattern is upper or lower leaves, whole leaves or between veins, is key to diagnosis.
Stunted growth
EnvironmentalPlants are significantly smaller or slower to develop than expected. May be caused by poor soil, nutrient deficiency, root restriction, compaction, pest damage to roots, or disease.
Carrot fly
PestPsila rosae
A root-feeding pest whose larvae tunnel into carrot roots, making them poor quality or inedible. It is most active from late spring into autumn.
Chewing damage
PestGeneral chewing damage from an unidentified pest, leaving holes or missing leaf sections. May be caused by caterpillars, beetles, or other insects. Inspect at dusk to identify the culprit.
Sap-sucking pests
PestGeneral sap-feeding pest activity causing weakened or distorted growth. May be caused by aphids, whitefly, scale insects, or other sucking insects. Inspect leaf undersides and growing tips to identify the pest.