Step 1Choose a location to
grow your parsley. It grows best in a well-drained,
alkaline soil in full sun or partial shade. Parsley
grows well in containers and is a good plant for
your kitchen windowsill. Just be sure to have good
drainage in
your
pot and make sure it gets good sunlight.
Step 2 Plant your seeds in the
early spring, summer or autumn. Place the tiny seeds
on top of the soil and keep moist until germination,
which is 2 to 3 weeks. Thin the seedlings to about 3
inches apart. Planting is required yearly in most
areas, but it is a biennial in warmer climates.
Step 3 Water your parsley
deeply at least once a week and don't allow the soil
to dry out between watering. Light mulch helps
retain moisture and keeps weeds under control.
Step 4 Fertilize the plants in
the garden once during the growing season, using a
general purpose fertilizer and every 6 weeks if you
have it potted indoors.
Step 5 Harvest by clipping the
stalks close to the base, starting with the larger
ones. This encourages new growth all during the
growing season. If you just pinch the leaves off,
your parsley will be less productive. Dry or freeze
the leaves and use them within a year for optimum
color and freshness.
Growing Parsley in
Containers
Parsley grows easily in a
container as long as it gets enough sun. Because it
develops a deep tap root, it is best to use a
container that is 12 inches deep or deeper. Be sure
the container has drainage holes. Fill it with
moistened soilless potting mix to within 2 inches of
its top.
Plant the parsley seedlings and water them well.
Keep them out of bright sun the first day or so
while they adjust to the shock of transplanting.
Feed container plants once a month with a dilute
general purpose liquid fertilizer when you water.
Water often to prevent the container plants from
drying out during hot summer days. Try starting
seeds in late summer and nurture the plants in pots
outdoors to get large plants for winter harvest
indoors.
