Parsley is one of the most appreciated and commonly used aromatic plants in Mediterranean cuisine and many other culinary traditions. It boasts numerous beneficial properties for the body and is very easy to grow, making it an ideal crop for beginners.
If you want to learn how to plant parsley at home and how to propagate it endlessly, read this article.
Parsley: The Best Tips for Healthy Growth
When planting parsley, you have two options: starting from seeds or cuttings. The latter is the fastest and most convenient method. Keep in mind that seed germination can take up to 20 days.
Parsley can generally be planted from February to September, although this greatly depends on the specific climate of your region. In slightly cooler areas, it’s better to wait an extra month or two before planting parsley outdoors.
How to Propagate Parsley
If you plant parsley cuttings both indoors and outdoors, you’ll save the initial time required for germination and early growth, saving you about a month of work.
- Prepare the Soil: Enrich the soil with a good amount of humus or compost.
- Spacing: Leave about 20 cm between each plant if you are planting more than one in a large pot or directly in the ground.
- Planting: Place the rooted cutting in the center and cover its base with potting soil to secure it.
- Watering: After transplanting, water the plants abundantly and frequently to maintain soil moisture.
- Mulching: Especially outdoors, mulching is recommended to improve moisture retention and prevent weed growth.
How to Grow Parsley from Seeds
- Obtain Seeds: You can get parsley seeds from a friend, collect them yourself, or purchase certified seeds from a professional source, like a garden store.
- Prepare the Substrate: Parsley needs nutrient-rich, moist soil with good drainage. A recommended mix includes one part peat moss, one part worm humus, and one part coconut coir. Add some perlite and vermiculite for extra support and drainage.
- Soak the Seeds: Before planting, soak the seeds for 24 hours to promote germination.
- Planting: Fill the pot or seedbed nearly to the top with substrate, scatter the seeds about 2 cm apart, cover with 2 cm of substrate, and press lightly.
- Watering: Spray water to moisten the substrate and keep it damp with about three waterings daily, ensuring the seeds do not become waterlogged. Mulching can further help with moisture retention.
Growing Parsley in Pots
Parsley is very resilient and doesn’t require much care, but there are a few key points to remember:
- Light: Parsley doesn’t need a lot of sunlight. About 3 hours of light a day is sufficient for it to develop properly.
- Soil: As mentioned, the soil should be moist but well-draining and enriched with worm humus or compost.
- Watering: Frequent watering is essential, especially during summer. Parsley may need up to 2 or 3 waterings a day to keep the substrate moist but not waterlogged.
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