Holly's Homestead — Annual Herb
Parsley
Petroselinum crispum · Carrot family
DIFFICULTY Easy
TYPE Biennial, grown as annual, direct sown
MATURITY 70–90 days
TYPE Biennial, grown as annual, direct sown
MATURITY 70–90 days
Sun
Full–part sun
Water
Regular
Soil pH
6.0–7.0
Spacing
20cm
Depth
0.5–1cm
01Slow to start
Parsley seed is notoriously slow to germinate, sometimes 3–4 weeks. Soaking seed overnight before sowing can help speed things along.
02Planting
Method
Direct sow, or transplant seedlings carefully — parsley dislikes root disturbance.
Soil
Rich, moisture-retentive.
Timing
Sow in spring or autumn; avoid the height of summer heat.
03Growing care
- Keep soil consistently moist, especially while germinating.
- Harvest outer stems regularly to encourage new growth.
- Feed lightly every few weeks for continuous production.
- Mulch to retain moisture around the taproot.
04Problems
- Bolting — second-year plants flower in warm weather; treat as a biennial or replant.
- Carrot fly — same family, same pest; net if it's an issue locally.
- Slugs and snails — target young growth; use barriers.
- Slow germination — normal; be patient or pre-soak seed.
05Harvest & storage
Signs
Usable once plants are established, harvested continuously.
Method
Cut outer stems at the base, leaving the centre to keep growing.
Curing
Air-dry or freeze for storage.
Storage
Fresh in a glass of water in the fridge, up to 2 weeks.
06Companions & rotation
Plant nearby
TomatoAsparagusCarrotAvoid nearby
None majorRotation note
Rotate with the carrot family every 2–3 years.