In brief: For a rich parsley harvest, choose a sheltered spot with loose, nutrient-rich soil and partial shade. Keep the soil evenly moist, but avoid waterlogging. Regularly harvest the outer leaves to encourage new growth from the center. Fertilize sparingly with organic vegetable fertilizer. With the right care, you can enjoy fresh parsley throughout the summer.
How to Grow and Care for Parsley for a Rich Harvest
Fresh parsley from your garden can brighten up any dish. This flavorful herb is also packed with vitamins. With a little know-how, it's easy to grow successfully. Here's how to care for parsley from sowing to harvest.
How do I get started with sowing?
Sow parsley directly in a garden bed or in pots. The best time is from mid-March through the end of July. Parsley seeds germinate slowly, so be patient. Loosen the soil thoroughly and remove any stones.
Sow the small seeds thinly and cover them with just a light layer of soil. Gently firm the soil over the seeds. Keep the area consistently moist for the next few weeks. A shade cloth won't speed up germination, but it will help keep the soil from drying out.
Expert tip
Soak parsley seeds overnight in lukewarm water to shorten germination time by a few days. Sow the seeds as soon as you take them out of the water.
Should I sow seeds outdoors or start them indoors?
Sowing directly in the garden bed is the easiest method. It avoids transplanting and the stress it can cause to the roots. For an early harvest, start parsley seeds indoors on a windowsill in February.
Use deep seed-starting pots, since parsley develops a long taproot. Wait until after the last frost to plant seedlings outdoors. Keep them in a sheltered spot for the first few days.
What is the ideal location for parsley?
Parsley grows best in a bright spot with partial shade. It doesn't do well in full midday sun. A bed that gets morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal. A sheltered location helps keep the delicate leaves from drying out.
The soil should be loose, rich in organic matter, and well drained. Mix sand into heavy clay soil. Compacted soil can restrict root growth. Parsley prefers soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH.
Parsley is a moderate feeder. It doesn't need unusually rich soil, but it does need a good supply of nutrients to get established. Loose, weed-free soil gives plants a strong start and supports healthy growth.
Good companion plants for parsley
Don't plant parsley next to other members of the carrot family, such as carrots or celery. These plants are related and can be affected by the same diseases. Good companion plants include tomatoes, onions, and radishes.
These plants can help deter pests or draw nutrients from different layers of the soil. Rotate your crops, too. Avoid growing parsley in the same bed for several years in a row to help prevent soil-borne problems.
For all your garden projects, explore our range of garden tools. The right tools can help with every step, from sowing to harvest.
How do I care for parsley?
Proper care is key to a successful harvest. Water regularly and thoroughly. The soil should never dry out completely, but it shouldn't become waterlogged. Check the soil moisture with your finger.
Mulch around the plants with fine grass clippings or compost. Mulch helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and slowly release nutrients. Loosen the soil carefully from time to time, taking care not to damage the roots.
Important note
Avoid waterlogging. Parsley roots can quickly rot in soggy soil, so make sure the soil drains well. In heavy soil, add a layer of gravel for drainage before planting.
Fertilizing for healthy growth
Fertilize parsley sparingly. Too much nitrogen can cause soft, vulnerable leaves. Before sowing, lightly work mature compost or organic vegetable fertilizer into the soil.
This should be enough for the season. If you're growing parsley in pots, feed it every four to six weeks with liquid herb fertilizer diluted to half strength. Specialty fertilizer for herbs and vegetables is available at garden centers.
How do I harvest parsley for a steady supply?
Start harvesting once the plant has at least eight to ten strong stems. Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the outer stems. Leave the young shoots in the center intact.
This lets the parsley keep growing from the center outward. Never harvest more than one third of the plant at a time, and give it time to recover. The main harvest season runs from June through October.
Don't cut parsley in bright sunshine or right after heavy rain. Moist cut surfaces are more susceptible to fungal growth. The best time to harvest is early in the morning on a dry day.
Storing and preserving parsley
Freshly harvested parsley is best used right away. To store it for a few days, wrap the stems in a damp paper towel and place them in the refrigerator.
To freeze parsley, wash the leaves, pat them dry, and chop them. Place the chopped parsley in an ice cube tray, add water, and freeze. Dried parsley loses much of its flavor, but it works well in soups.
Additional advice
A harvest basket, such as our
, is handy for harvesting. It helps you collect freshly cut herbs neatly and gently. The woven design lets air circulate, helping prevent the leaves from getting damp.
Which parsley varieties are best for growing?
There are many parsley varieties to choose from, each with its own leaf shape, growth habit and flavor. The best-known type is flat-leaf parsley, also called Italian parsley. It has an intense, fresh flavor.
is a hardy flat-leaf parsley variety. It grows vigorously and produces a high yield. Its medium-green leaves are ideal for seasoning and garnishing., also known as 'Darki', is a curly-leaf parsley. Its tightly curled leaves make an attractive garnish. The flavor is slightly milder than flat-leaf parsley.
Special varieties for parsley lovers
For enthusiasts, Italian giant parsley 'Gigante d'Italia'
has large, flat leaves with a bold flavor. It grows vigorously and produces an exceptionally high yield. This variety tolerates more sun than other types.
Try growing a few different varieties. Sow a short row of each to find your favorites. High-quality garden and plant supplies will help you sow and care for your plants.
How do I overwinter parsley?
Parsley is a biennial herb. In its first year, it forms a rosette of leaves; in its second year, it flowers. After flowering, the leaves become tough and bitter. To overwinter parsley in a garden bed, cover the plants with a layer of leaves or brushwood.
If you’re growing parsley in a pot, move it to a cool, bright, frost-free spot. An unheated greenhouse or a bright basement works well. Water sparingly, but don’t let the root ball dry out.
Overwintered parsley starts growing early in spring. You can harvest the young leaves until the plant begins to flower. Then remove it and make room for a new sowing.
With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to growing a healthy parsley crop. From sowing to harvest, proper care helps your plants thrive—and rewards you with fresh herbs for the kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why does my parsley keep dying?
- Parsley often dies because of waterlogged soil, an unsuitable location or competition from other plants’ roots. Rotate your crops and avoid planting parsley in the same spot two years in a row. Keep the soil well drained. A spot that’s too sunny and hot, or planting parsley next to heavy-feeding vegetables, can also cause it to die.
- How often should I water parsley?
- Water parsley regularly to keep the soil evenly moist. Check the soil with your finger: the top 2-3 cm should not dry out completely. You may need to water daily on hot summer days. Avoid leaving the pot in standing water, as this can cause root rot.
- Can I grow parsley in a pot on my balcony?
- Yes, parsley grows well on a balcony. Choose a pot with a capacity of at least 5 litres and good drainage. Use high-quality herb or vegetable potting mix. A sheltered spot with partial shade is ideal. When growing parsley in a container, take care to water it regularly.
- When should I sow parsley?
- Sow parsley directly outdoors from mid-March to the end of July. It can take a long time to germinate, often three to four weeks. Early sowings can be protected from late frosts with garden fleece. For an earlier harvest, start seeds indoors on a windowsill from February. Move the seedlings outdoors after the last frost.
- How do I harvest parsley so it grows back?
- Cut the outer, fully developed leaf stalks close to the ground. Leave the center of the plant and its young inner shoots untouched. This lets the parsley keep growing from the center outward. Never harvest more than one third of the plant at a time.
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