Choosing the Right Type of Parsley
Learning how to grow parsley from seed outdoors begins with choosing the right type of parsley. There are two main types of parsley: Curly Leaf Parsley and Flat-Leaf (Italian) Parsley. Both types belong to the same botanical family, Apiaceae, but they have distinct characteristics in terms of appearance, flavor, and culinary use.
Curly Leaf Parsley:
Curly leaf parsley (Petroselinum crispum var. crispum) is easily recognizable by its tightly curled, ruffled leaves. It is often used as a garnish due to its decorative appearance, which adds a touch of elegance to dishes. Here are some key features of curly leaf parsley:
• Appearance: The leaves of curly leaf parsley are bright green, and they have a characteristic crinkled or curled texture. The plant itself can grow to about 8-12 inches in height.
• Flavor: Curly leaf parsley has a milder flavor compared to flat-leaf parsley. It adds a subtle, fresh herbal note to dishes without overpowering other flavors.
• Culinary Use: While curly leaf parsley is used as a garnish for its visual appeal, it can also be chopped and added to dishes like soups, stews, and salads. Its texture can add an interesting element to certain dishes.
• Growing: Curly leaf parsley is relatively easy to grow and is often used as an ornamental herb in gardens. Its curly leaves make it a popular choice for decorative herb gardens or containers.
Flat-Leaf (Italian) Parsley:
Flat-leaf parsley (Petroselinum crispum var. neapolitanum), also known as Italian parsley, is preferred by many cooks for its robust flavor and versatility in the kitchen. Here's more about flat-leaf parsley:
• Appearance: The leaves of flat-leaf parsley are broader and flatter compared to curly leaf parsley. They have a darker green color and a smoother texture. The plant can also grow to a similar height of about 8-12 inches.
• Flavor: Flat-leaf parsley has a stronger, more intense flavor compared to curly leaf parsley. Its flavor is often described as earthy, peppery, and slightly tangy, which makes it a popular choice for enhancing the taste of dishes.
• Culinary Use: Flat-leaf parsley is a staple herb in many cuisines around the world. It's often used in cooking rather than just as a garnish. It's an essential ingredient in Mediterranean dishes like tabbouleh, chimichurri, and gremolata. Its strong flavor holds up well in cooked dishes like pasta sauces, sautés, and marinades.
• Growing: Flat-leaf parsley is also relatively easy to grow, and its strong flavor makes it a favorite among home cooks and chefs alike. It's particularly prized for its culinary uses and is often considered more versatile than curly leaf parsley.
Preparing to Grow Parsley
Preparing to grow parsley is the first step in how to grow parsley from seed outdoors, which includes selecting a suitable location, preparing the soil, and sowing parsley seeds.
Selecting a Suitable Location:
Parsley prefers partial to full sun, so choose a location for growing parsley in your garden or on your balcony that receives at least 4-6 hours of sunlight per day. It can also tolerate light shade.
Preparing the Soil:
• Clear the Area: Remove any weeds, rocks, or debris from the planting area. This will create a clean space for your parsley plants to grow without competition from unwanted plants.
• Loosen the Soil: Parsley roots need space to grow and access nutrients. Use a garden fork or a tiller to loosen the soil to a depth of about 8 to 10 inches. This helps improve soil structure, drainage, and aeration.
• Add Organic Matter: Organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure, is beneficial for improving soil fertility, moisture retention, and overall soil health. Mix in a generous amount of compost or other organic material into the soil. Aim for a ratio of about 1 part compost to 2 parts soil.
• Fertilization: Before planting, incorporate a slow-release granular fertilizer into the soil according to the package instructions. This will help provide nutrients gradually as the plants grow.
Sowing Parsley Seeds Directly Outdoors:
• Sow the parsley seeds about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep in rows that are 6-8 inches apart.
• Space the seeds about 6-8 inches apart within each row.
• Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil and water gently to settle the soil around the seeds.
Caring for Growing Parsley
Watering Parsley:
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water the plants when the top inch of soil feels dry. Be careful not to overwater, as parsley doesn't like sitting in soggy soil.
Fertilizing Parsley:
Parsley benefits from a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer. You can apply a slow-release granular fertilizer according to the manufacturer's instructions or use a diluted liquid fertilizer every few weeks during the growing season.
Pruning Parsley:
Regular pruning helps growing parsley plants stay bushy and productive. Pruning involves removing certain parts of the plant to encourage new growth and prevent flowering (bolting). Here's how to prune parsley:
• Pinch Back: When the parsley plants have developed several sets of true leaves (usually 3-4 inches tall), start pinching or snipping off the top leaves, including the leaflets. This encourages branching and helps create a fuller, bushier plant.
• Remove Flowering Stems: If your parsley plant starts to send up flower stalks, it's an indication that it's nearing the end of its life cycle. Flowering can affect the flavor of the leaves. Snip off the flower stalks as soon as you notice them to divert the plant's energy back into leaf growth.
• Cutting Dead or Yellowing Leaves: Regularly inspect your growing parsley plant and remove any yellowing or dead leaves. This not only improves the plant's appearance but also prevents diseases from spreading.
Managing Pests and Diseases
Parsley is generally a resilient herb and is less susceptible to pests and diseases compared to some other plants. However, it's still important to be vigilant and take preventive measures to keep your parsley plants healthy. Here are some common pests and diseases that can affect parsley, along with tips on how to manage them:
Pests:
• Aphids: These small insects feed on the sap of the plant and can cause distortion of leaves. You can dislodge aphids by spraying plants with a strong stream of water or using insecticidal soap if the infestation is severe.
• Caterpillars: Various types of caterpillars, such as parsleyworms, can feed on parsley leaves. Handpick these pests off the plants if you see them. You can also use biological control methods like introducing beneficial insects like ladybugs or releasing parasitic wasps.
• Whiteflies: These tiny insects feed on the undersides of leaves and can cause leaf yellowing and wilting. Introduce natural predators like parasitic wasps or use yellow sticky traps to capture whiteflies.
• Slugs and Snails: These mollusks can chew holes in parsley leaves. You can handpick them in the evening or use slug traps to control their population.
Diseases:
• Root Rot: Overwatering or poorly draining soil can lead to root rot. Make sure your parsley plants are in well-draining soil and avoid overwatering.
• Leaf Spot: Fungal diseases like leaf spot can cause brown or black spots on parsley leaves. To prevent this, avoid overhead watering and promote good air circulation by spacing plants properly.
• Powdery Mildew: This fungal disease appears as a white powdery substance on leaves. It can be managed by ensuring good air circulation, avoiding overhead watering, and using fungicides if necessary.
• Septoria Leaf Blight: This disease causes brown spots with dark margins on parsley leaves. Remove and destroy infected leaves and ensure proper plant spacing to minimize humidity.
Preventive Measures
• Healthy Soil: Start with well-draining soil rich in organic matter to promote strong growing parsley and reduce susceptibility to diseases.
• Proper Watering: Water the plants at the base to avoid wetting the foliage, which can contribute to disease development.
• Crop Rotation: If you're growing parsley in the same spot year after year, consider rotating your crops to minimize the buildup of pests and diseases.
• Remove Debris: Regularly remove fallen leaves and debris from the base of the plants to prevent pests and diseases from establishing themselves.
• Natural Predators: Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps in your garden to help control pest populations.
• Resistant Varieties: If available, choose parsley varieties that are known for being more resistant to certain pests and diseases.
• Quarantine New Plants: If you're introducing new plants to your garden, keep them isolated for a while to make sure they are not carrying any pests or diseases.
Harvesting Parsley
After you are done growing parsley, it is time to begin harvesting parsley. Harvesting parsley is a careful process that involves cutting the leaves in a way that encourages the plant to keep producing new growth. Here's how to harvest parsley leaves:
• Selective Harvesting: When the parsley plant has grown enough and the leaves are of a usable size (usually around 3-4 inches long), you can start selectively harvesting the outer leaves. Use scissors or gardening shears to snip the leaves at the base of their stems. Leave the central, inner leaves untouched to allow the plant to keep growing.
• Cut Above Leaf Sets: Instead of cutting the leaves right at the base, try to snip them just above a set of leaves or leaflets. This encourages new growth to emerge from the base of the stem.
• Avoid Removing Too Much: While parsley is quite resilient and can tolerate pruning, avoid harvesting more than a third of the plant's leaves at once. Cutting too much foliage can stress the plant and slow down its growth.
• Frequent Harvesting: Regularly harvest parsley leaves as needed. Frequent harvesting actually encourages the plant to produce more leaves, resulting in a healthier and more productive plant.
Caring for Parsley during the Winter
Parsley is a biennial plant, which means it usually produces leaves for two years before completing its life cycle. In colder climates, you might need to provide some care to help parsley survive the winter and potentially continue growing in the following year. Here's how to care for parsley during the winter:
• Mulching:
Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as straw or leaves, around the base of the
parsley plants. Mulch helps insulate the soil and protect the roots from
extreme cold temperatures.
• Covering: If you have potted parsley plants or if you’re growing parsley in containers, consider moving the containers to a sheltered area like a garage or covered porch during severe cold spells.
Once you’ve learned how to grow parsley from seed outdoors by following these steps and by being patient and attentive to any challenges along the way, you will be able to enjoy your own healthy and flavorful parsley from your own backyard garden.
