Parsley
Sow little and often through the growing season rather than relying on a single sowing — this is a short-lived, bolt-prone herb in practice even though it's botanically biennial, so a continuous supply depends on succession sowing, not on one planting lasting all season.
Care
Tolerates more shade than most herbs, and benefits from a little afternoon shade in a hot summer, which slows bolting.
Doesn't like to dry out completely — inconsistent watering is a common trigger for early bolting.
Fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil.
Not applicable in the usual sense; harvest outer leaves/stems regularly, always leaving the central growing point intact, which keeps the plant producing new leaves for longer.
A balanced feed every few weeks through the growing season — parsley is grown for leaf, so nitrogen is genuinely useful here, unlike with the Mediterranean herbs. A pot plant exhausts its compost quickly.
From seed, sown in warmth; it is famously slow to germinate, so soak the seed overnight and be patient. Sow twice a year rather than trying to keep an old plant going: parsley is biennial and runs to seed in its second spring.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- MarchSow seed — germination is notoriously slow (three to six weeks), so be patient and keep the seed bed consistently moist rather than assuming it has failed. how ›
- JuneHarvest outer leaves and stems regularly, leaving the central growing point to keep producing.
- JulyWatch for a flower stem starting to form (bolting) — once it appears, leaf quality declines quickly; sow a fresh batch to keep a continuous supply. how ›
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchSow seed — germination is notoriously slow (three to six weeks), so be patient and keep the seed bed consistently moist rather than assuming it has failed. how ›
- JuneHarvest outer leaves and stems regularly, leaving the central growing point to keep producing.
- JulyWatch for a flower stem starting to form (bolting) — once it appears, leaf quality declines quickly; sow a fresh batch to keep a continuous supply. how ›
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- FebruarySow seed — germination is notoriously slow (three to six weeks), so be patient and keep the seed bed consistently moist rather than assuming it has failed. how ›
- JuneHarvest outer leaves and stems regularly, leaving the central growing point to keep producing.
- JulyWatch for a flower stem starting to form (bolting) — once it appears, leaf quality declines quickly; sow a fresh batch to keep a continuous supply. how ›
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- FebruarySow seed — germination is notoriously slow (three to six weeks), so be patient and keep the seed bed consistently moist rather than assuming it has failed. how ›
- JuneHarvest outer leaves and stems regularly, leaving the central growing point to keep producing.
- JulyWatch for a flower stem starting to form (bolting) — once it appears, leaf quality declines quickly; sow a fresh batch to keep a continuous supply. how ›
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Little or nothing visible for several weeks after sowing.
What to do. Normal for this genus — germination is genuinely slow; keep the seed bed moist and be patient rather than resowing too soon.
How to spot it. A tall flower stem appears and leaf production drops off, especially in a hot summer or from inconsistent watering.
What to do. Water more consistently, provide a little afternoon shade in a heatwave, and sow a follow-on batch every few weeks through the growing season rather than relying on one sowing.
How to spot it. Rusty, tunnelled roots and stunted, discoloured foliage — this genus shares the vulnerability with its Apiaceae relatives.
What to do. Cover with fine insect-proof mesh from sowing; avoid thinning on a warm day, which releases scent that attracts the fly.
Questions
Parsley: is it hardy?
H6: Hardy in the vast majority of UK gardens. It survives down to −20 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Does well in a pot or windowsill box, and easier to keep consistently watered there than in open ground.
Parsley: when do you prune it?
Not applicable in the usual sense; harvest outer leaves/stems regularly, always leaving the central growing point intact, which keeps the plant producing new leaves for longer.
Parsley: when does it flower?
In the climate of UK it flowers in June–July.
When do you feed it?
A balanced feed every few weeks through the growing season — parsley is grown for leaf, so nitrogen is genuinely useful here, unlike with the Mediterranean herbs. A pot plant exhausts its compost quickly. Feeding months, UK: May–July.