Sowing parsley is not difficult: This is how you can successfully grow parsley and nothing stands in the way of a rich parsley harvest.
Parsley is one of the most popular herbs and can be combined with many delicious dishes. In the following article you will find out how to grow the herb yourself, what you should consider when choosing the location, sowing and harvesting of the parsley.
Parsley: origin and properties
The leaf parsley (Petroselinum crispum ssp. crispum) belongs exactly like the closely related root parsley (Petroselinum crispumssp. tuberosum) to the umbelliferae family (Apiaceae). Leaf parsley originally comes from the Mediterranean region and has been known as a herb since the Middle Ages.
Leaf parsley has only a thin, long, white root, which is hard and tough and therefore not eaten. The leaves are doubly or tripinnate and are borne on a long stalk. As a biennial plant, parsley flowers only in the second year and develops wonderfully aromatic leaves for the harvest in the first year. A distinction is made between flat and curly parsley. While flat-leaf parsley tastes more aromatic, curly parsley has the great advantage that it cannot be confused with similar-looking but poisonous relatives, such as dog parsley (Aethusa cynapium). However, the dangerous double of leaf parsley can be caught by a strong, unpleasant odor when the leaves are crushed.
The variation in the leaf shape is supposed to protect the parsley fan from a mistake that could have serious consequences. That is why monks in the Middle Ages devoted themselves to cultivating a curly-leaved parsley, which is now very popular in the garden and kitchen. There are numerous types of parsley for both variants, which are also ideal for growing at home.
Plant Parsley
Parsley only has a unique aroma when it is fresh. So it is particularly worthwhile to plant the herb yourself at home and alwaysto be able to harvest it fresh again. We explain how to grow parsley, from sowing to harvesting.
When is parsley planted?
Parsley requires sufficient heat to grow, so indoor or outdoor cultivation is only possible from spring to autumn. Parsley can be grown indoors in a good spot all year round, but usually grows much more slowly there due to the lack of light.
The right place for parsley
Parsley prefers a bright spot and suffers from shade. However, because it also does not tolerate heat above 22 °C, light penumbra is ideal for it. Leaf parsley prefers nutrient- and humus-rich soil that offers loose and moist soil. It does not tolerate drought well, so the soil should be able to hold water well. However, waterlogging should be strictly avoided, as the roots can begin to rot, which quickly kills the parsley.
Choose a spot where there has been no parsley for at least three to four years - the umbelliferous family is highly self-intolerant. Other umbellifers, such as carrots (Daucus carota), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) or parsnips (Pastinaca sativa ), should not be planted directly after the parsley.
Pulses (legumes) such as beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) or peas (Pisum sativum) are particularly suitable as a preceding crop for parsley. The herb is not a good pre-crop for heavy-feeding vegetables that require high levels of nutrients, as parsley leaves almost no plant matter in the form of leaves or roots that can be used as organic fertilizer.
Radishes (Raphanus sativus var. sativus), radishes (Raphanus sativus are suitable as follow-up crops ), garlic (Allium sativum) and leeks (Allium ampeloprasum) and kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica). In a mixed culture, the herb is choosy, here too no umbellifers should be included. Good neighbors for parsley are tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), cucumbers (Cucumis sativus), potatoes (Solanum tuberosum ), onions (Allium cepa), garlic, radishes and collards.
Sow parsley
The parsley is sown directly into the bed from March at a depth of 1.5 to 3 cm. There, sowing can continue into Junetake place. In March, the ground is often still cold and germination takes a long time. In warmer months, the seedlings can be seen more quickly and germinate more reliably. Parsley can be sown very late in the greenhouse, even as late as mid-August. You can even harvest fresh leafy greens in November. A distance of 20 to 30 cm should be maintained between individual rows of parsley. Within the rows, the individual plants are then just a few centimeters from their neighbors. A fleece cover protects delicate, sensitive parsley seedlings from freezing on frosty spring nights.
Until germination, it should also be watered regularly to prevent dryness. Parsley takes a long time to germinate, up to 30 days at an optimal temperature of 12 to 16 °C. Soaking the seeds in lukewarm water overnight before sowing is beneficial for the emergence of the parsley. An alternative here are young plants that have already been pre-grown, which are offered in nurseries or garden centers in spring and summer. However, parsley can also be grown from seeds on your own windowsill from February.
Tip: You can find a complete set to make growing easier in our shop. In addition to parsley, the Plantura herb set contains four other types of herbs as well as growing substrate, pots and a mini greenhouse. This turns your windowsill into a herb garden in no time.
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