Sowing parsley: prepare the seed and be patient

Parsley is easy to use, but its slow germination can test your patience: do not resow after a few days without shoots. The RHS warns that seed can take a month or longer. Preparing the seed is optional and does not remove that wait.

Choose where to sow

Direct sowing in the final position is simplest: it avoids disturbing roots and makes a marked row easy to monitor. Check the packet first: the SNHF distinguishes flat-leaved, curly-leaved and Hamburg (root) parsley. For leaf harvest, choose a flat or curly variety; the RHS notes that their size and spacing needs vary. Choose fine, moisture-retentive soil that is easy to water, in sun or partial shade. For a pot, use a container with drainage holes; the RHS recommends one at least 25cm wide and deep. For an earlier crop, the RHS suggests starting in modules under cover in early spring: cover seed with about 1cm of compost and transplant the rootball when plants reach 10–15cm tall. That timing reflects UK guidance; adapt it to local conditions and avoid pulling at the roots.

Soak or sow dry

The SNHF suggests outdoor sowing from February to September, in rows 25cm apart, and soaking seed for 24 hours before sowing. The RHS gives mid-spring to late summer for the UK; do not transfer those months directly to France. Soaking is optional: try it on a short row, but it does not remove the need for patience or steady moisture.

Keep the surface moist while you wait

For direct sowing, the RHS recommends a shallow drill about 1cm deep: water the base, sow seed thinly along it, cover and water gently. It gives 20–30cm between rows depending on variety; the French SNHF reference is 25cm. In a pot, scatter seed thinly and cover with about 1cm of compost. Neither source sets a seed count per pocket, so sow thinly instead of clustering seed. Keep the surface moist without waterlogging. Keep the row labelled and do not resow over it: emergence can take a month or longer.

Thin without losing track of the seedlings

After emergence, thin according to variety: the RHS gives 15–30cm between plants, with larger varieties needing more room. Remove weaker seedlings once they are easy to identify; healthy thinnings can be used in cooking. Water at the base when the soil dries and remove weeds before they hide the parsley plants. The SNHF advises frequent watering and protection in severe cold; keep container compost evenly moist through dry spells without leaving the pot waterlogged. Small repeat sowings every few weeks can extend the leaf supply, as the RHS suggests for its UK season.

Pick leaves over time

Once a plant is established, take outer stems near the base and leave the centre to continue growing. Avoid cutting every leaf to the ground if you want to extend the harvest. The SNHF describes leaf-by-leaf harvest throughout the year; the RHS gives late spring to autumn for the UK. Parsley is biennial: in its second year it flowers and sets seed, and the RHS advises that leaf quality declines. Sow a small new batch to renew the crop.

Our guide to growing in a small garden considers space for container crops, while the beginner's vegetable garden plan helps with area and access. Record the sowing date and result in your garden journal to compare germination.

References: SNHF, Persil (in French); RHS, Parsley. SNHF's soaking tip is optional and does not guarantee a germination time.