How to grow Parsley?

MaizieD

My parsley old wives tale is that you should sow the seed on Good Friday in a drill that you have poured boiling water on...

The best germination I ever had for parsley was doing that (but not on good Friday) actually got a good crop after it went to seed the second year
And it's not just an old wives tale, as it's mentioned in this article
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/feb/24/how-to-grow-parsley-seeds
I don't actually much like parsley, just have grown it as an ornamental really, it looks good as an edge to a bed

Parsley has a tap root - worth bearing in mind as it needs to be able to reach deep into the soil…

parsley seeds take ages to germinate and when about to give up on them, up they pop. I have got rid of my parsley plants today, it has done really well and I have a lot safely bagged in my freezer, I cut the stems off first, a bit tedious but worth it. The mounds of leaves dry quickly on t towels after washing. Saves lots of time when I want parsley

The best two plants were growing in the shade of my one courgette plant. The others in the sun were just ok. Incidentally the courgette plant has been providing a glut. I cut main leaves off and tie the plant to a stake so courgettes are easily visible and way up off the ground

I plant mine in a pot, and put it under a plastic cloche in April. I’ve never had a problem with it germinating, I think because it gets very warm when the sun shines. I take the cloche off at the end of May. I saw it on a TV gardening programme years ago - I think it was Geoff Hamilton.

I plant seeds and pour boiling water over them nine times ( over a week) not at once. I like to think I’m boss but it does work.

... and don't overwater!

The easiest way to grow parsley is to buy a supermarket pot of seedlings. There are dozens of plants. Split them up and replant in/outside. Bingo!

Rosemary and Thyme both grow well in the sun in my garden, but no other herbs do - so either plant them in the shade, or in a bed that only has the very early morning sun.

I have never been able to grow parsley from seed, so I buy a plant and plant it out. Parsley plants only live three years, though.

A Parsley update. I moved what was left of mine to a shadier spot yesterday. This morning it has been eaten to a stump! So I’ve bought some this afternoon at the supermarket and split it and planted it in two different places. If it gets munched by snails that’s me done with it and I’ll have to resign myself to buying it when I need it. I won’t grow it indoors as I’ve almost given up on indoor plants because of small flies. Grrhh….

Thanks Maizie - that's why mine didn't germinate- I was busy on Good Friday..

My parsley old wives tale is that you should sow the seed on Good Friday in a drill that you have poured boiling water on...

deedeedum

I read somewhere that you should water parsley from the side, if it's in a pot. And it works, apparently many herbs should be watered this way. Growing outside is hopeless, too many slugs.

I often wonder if the rain that falls on it knows this and obligingly slants sidieways on to parsley plants😁

It's rather illogical advice, isn't it?

I like Parsley - it's a natural diuretic .
I don't find it that easy to grow .
It tends to bolt so I've been growing it in too hot a place .
Good advice about semi shade .
Any advice about growing Coriander ?
I love it on curries .

sheffkath - you should start a new thread with your question as you're unlikely to get replies on this one as it's about parsley.

Doesn't answer your question but as you "love the stuff" as do I, why not buy bunches of it around Christmas time when it's plentiful in shops, supermarkets and markets and freeze it. It's what I do and it lasts for months and months a d I help myself whenever I need it - all ready made

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I had flat leaf parsley self seed in the scrub beside my wheelie bins. It grew really tall before I identified it with the Seek app. I am mystified as its ancestor died in the pot some time ago and I have had no success with parsley of any kind, despite my moniker.

According to an old wife’s tale Parsley grows best in households where the wife wears the trousers

I read somewhere that you should water parsley from the side, if it's in a pot. And it works, apparently many herbs should be watered this way. Growing outside is hopeless, too many slugs.

The app Picture This will tell you what’s wrong (or if the plant is healthy) and suggest how to remedy any problems.
Costs just under£30 a year but really worth it. Identifies any plant or tree.
If you have a gravel path, sprinkle the seeds on it and leave them alone. I had parsley in a pot outside(in full sun), it self seeded and spread like a weed.

I buy the supermarket pot grown parsley but split it in about 4 bits then plant in my raised bed.
Skydancer you are thinking of Mediterranean herbs that like well drained soil and a sunny site.

I scatter the seed in a big pot and cover with a thin layer of soil have had no problem with it

Folklore!

Greyduster

It is said that the seed has to go down to the devil and back nine times before it will germinate, which is why it takes so long. Also, according to an old English folk tale, parsley grows best in a household where the wife wears the trousers.

My Granny always said that foklore says witches grow good parsley. Could be a variation of your folk lore.
Anyway I have no problem growing it from seed!