how to grow parsley all year round

Growing parsley to harvest fresh all summer – plus more to dry for winter use – is not at all difficult. Simply plan to set out new seedlings twice a year, in spring and again in late summer, which means growing parsley as a cold-hardy annual.

How do you grow parsley year round?

The first year, harvest parsley for its leaves, choosing stalks furthest out from the plant's center. Leave the inner stalks and leaves, so the plant can keep growing. The second year, the leaves will be sparse and may be less flavor-intense. You may use them, but you may also let the parsley bloom.

Can parsley survive the winter?

Easy to overwinter in many regions, parsley produces crisp, fresh leaves at a slow but steady pace in cool temperatures. ... So, whether you grow some in a pot, a protected spot in the garden, or even on a sunny windowsill indoors, you can enjoy its tasty leaves throughout the year.

Can I grow parsley indoors in winter?

Growing Parsley Indoors in Winter

If you don't have a sunny south window, you can grow parsley indoors under fluorescent or LED lights, at least while the plants are small.

How do you look after parsley in the winter?

Growing Parsley Outdoors in Winter

To reduce repeated freezing and thawing, cover mulched plants with a shroud made of row cover or an old sheet. In addition to buffering cold winds, the cover will protect the plants from rabbits, deer, and other hungry animals.

Does parsley regrow after cutting?

Parsley is one of the fastest-growing herbs, so you will be trimming it many times per season. Each time you prune its stems it will grow back to full size after two to three weeks.

How long does parsley plant live?

Parsley plants are biennial which means that they live for two years and at the end of the second growing season will flower and produce seeds. When growing parsley for seed production, remove every imperfect or weak plant so that only the healthiest plants can fertilize each other.

How cold is too cold for parsley?

Parsley may be grown as an annual in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plant hardiness zones 2 to 11. It prefers temperatures between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit according to Floridata. It can tolerate temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit, making it winter hardy in USDA zone 9 and above.

What month do you plant parsley?

Seeds can be planted outdoors in March or April, and again in late summer for early growth the next spring. Direct sow outdoors in early spring, or once the soil has warmed up, ideally around 70°F. Soak your parsley seeds for 24 hours before planting to speed germination.

Should herbs be cut back for winter?

Preparing Sage, Oregano and Thyme for Winter

This time of year is a good time to sort through the sage, oregano and thyme, cutting out any dead wood and extracting weeds that have grown around their base. Most importantly, trim off the dead flower heads to help keep the plants bushy.

Does parsley grow well indoors?

Indoor parsley care is easy. Keep the soil lightly moist and empty the saucer under the pot after every watering so that the roots don't sit in water. ... You can grow other herbs in the container with parsley, if desired.

Can parsley grow in water?

You can keep growing the herb in water indoors, or transplant it to soil in the garden. ... Note that some annual herbs like parsley, cilantro, and dill should be grown from seed and do not work with this method.

How do you harvest parsley without killing the plant?

Once plants are large enough, you can simply cut or break off outer stems as needed. Leave the inner stems and leaves to keep growing. It's a good rule of thumb to always leave ½ – ⅔ of the plant intact when harvesting. Any time you pick parsley, you'll want to pick the stems at their base.

Why is my potted parsley turning yellow?

The most common reason for parsley turning yellow is because the soil is too damp as a result of of boggy ground, over watering or the parsley is planted in a pot without drainage holes in the base. Parsley prefers moist soil with plenty of organic matter that allows for good drainage.

What herbs will survive winter?

Cold-hardy herbs, such as chives, mint, oregano, parsley, sage and thyme, can often survive cold-winter temperatures while continuing to produce flavorful foliage, as long as they are provided with some protection or grown indoors.

Can Rosemary be left outside in winter?

If you live in USDA plant hardiness zones 7 or below, rosemary will only survive if you bring it indoors before the arrival of freezing temperatures. On the other hand, if your growing zone is at least zone 8, you can grow rosemary outdoors year round with protection during the chilly months.

How do I make my parsley bushy?

Cut the outer leaves and stems down to the ground, leaving the inner stems to grow. Don't be afraid to cut too much. Your parsley will love it. Once you have pruned the parsley, mulch around the plants with mature compost to aid in water retention.

What does parsley look like when it's ready to harvest?

Wait until the leaf stems have three segments.

Check the stems. If the stems have three or more clusters of leaves, they are mature enough to harvest from. Stems with one or two segments should be left alone. Most parsley plants will be ready to harvest from within 70 to 90 days after you initially plant them.

Should I let my parsley flower?

The entire parsley plant, thick stalks included, is edible. When the plant flowers, you can use the flowers in the same way as the leaves. Use the flowers as a garnish or mix them into your pesto, tabbouleh, tzatziki, salsa verde or chimichurri recipe just as you would the leaves.

Why does my parsley keep dying?

Parsley likes consistent moisture but cannot tolerate boggy soil. Keeping the soil evenly moist will make for happy plants, but too much or too little water can cause wilting. ... Watering them is not always the correct response to refreshing wilted parsley. Try shading them during this time of day.

How do you look after Parsley?

Keep the soil moist by watering regularly during prolonged dry periods; dry soils can cause the plants to 'bolt' (going to seed prematurely). Parsley is a hungry plant, so use a general granular plant feed in the soil before sowing or planting out and feed with a liquid plant food throughout summer.

How do you care for a potted parsley plant outside?

Choose a location that gets full sun to partial shade. In warmer climates, the plants do better if they get afternoon shade protection from the sun. Each plant can grow 1 to 2 feet tall, depending on variety, and can withstand a light frost. Parsley seeds don't sprout all at once.