Growing Parsley, also curly leaf parsley or flat leaf (Italian) parsley

Petroselinum crispum : Apiaceae / the umbelliferae family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S                  
      T                
      P P P            

(Best months for growing Parsley in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 8 - 12 inches apart
  • Harvest in 9-19 weeks. Cut stalks from outer part of plant.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Carrots, Chives, Tomatoes, Asparagus
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

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10 Jan 13, Ferran (Australia - arid climate)
I have a possum that reigns over our our back garden because of a liquid amber, in Australia possums are protected. luckily it leaves the front and side gardens alone, only works if you have room. the palsy should come back. cutting of a few steams so it has less to keep alive may work as it did on my passion fruit.
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08 Jan 13, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Yes, it will probably sprout from the base. Also, you could have delicious parsley-flavoured roast possum!
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07 Jan 13, Jake (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have a little possum problem. He takes mint, passion fruit leaves, bean leaves but not the beans, strawberries and geraniums. All mine have grown back. I have even taken to hanging some plants where it is impossible for him to get to now as I haven't gotten a strawberry yet. I would move the plant ant see what happens.
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16 Feb 12, Robbie (Australia - temperate climate)
I think you should collect your seed and plant it the old gone is finished.
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17 Jan 12, amanda (Australia - temperate climate)
in early spring I had a happy parsley living in a full sun garden bed. however it was growing out of control and i cut it back. now all i have is a large parsley plant in seed with very little edible leaves for cooking. what should i do to stop seed and promote healthy edible leaves again?
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22 Apr 11, Terry (Australia - temperate climate)
I have also had problems with possums eating my parsley - I put bird netting over the plants which has worked so far.
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18 Apr 11, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
It grows really well in a pot. Perhaps you can put wire netting over a pot to protect it.
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18 Apr 11, Michelle (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Have tried growing parsley at two different houses now and it has been completely eaten by something in both locations. I am thinking a possum? Is there a way to avoid it being eaten? Is it possible to grow it indoors? Thanks!
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20 May 14, Richard (Australia - temperate climate)
A few years back in Albany WA there was a lady there who used dog hair to pack into a stocking which she tied to a stake next to her plants. I thought it was weird but it does seem to work. Possums didn't like the scent (and no it wasn't smellable to humans).
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08 Nov 11, Dee (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Michelle I've heard that a good possum deterrent is to mix a cup of molasses into one litre of water and spray it over new foliage. Apparently it also works for grasshoppers and caterpillars too.
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It grows really well in a pot. Perhaps you can put wire netting over a pot to protect it.

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