Parsley

[RSJK]

I am thinking of growing some parsley next year and was wondering if it is still sod to get it to germinate and if so have any of you got any tips for helping the germination process.

[RSJK]

[aquilegia]

My two tips - heat and patience.

My most successful parsley was sown direct into undug clay soil (first year with a garden). After sowing I watered with boiling water and covered with compost. Small area - about 1/2 foot square - provided enough for a year!

This year I sowed it in pots of watered with boiling water - one month later it germinated. It does take quite a while.

[terrace max]

I've never found parsley difficult to germinate in the greenhouse. Unlike its Oriental relative mitsuba - that takes forever...

[blight]

the first time it worked for me i did the opposite: put the seed packet in the freezer for 3 days, soaked it overnight and sowed it. took a fortnight to germinate.
i did that with both the curly-leafed and the smooth-leaved variety.

[tim]

Flat leafed this year - sown 13/3, germinated 23/3.

I believe in boiling water. But it works without!

[jennym]

Didn't know about this boiling water thing until I read this thread and then read up on it.
I just sowed into a pot containing a clay based compost - they germinated fine.
It was early though, about March. Now have a good decent clump on the allotment.

[Jimbo]

My most successful parsley was sown direct into undug clay soil (first year with a garden). After sowing I watered with boiling water and covered with compost. Small area - about 1/2 foot square - provided enough for a year!

You see, this is exactly why I was told by friends of mine to get involved in A4A - where else could I (a complete novice) gain such knowledge?  I'm astounded!  Boiling water?  Are there any other seeds which like to be treated to a 'hot bath' to aid germination?

Also, Aquilegia, you say that you had success in undug clay soil: do you think that the clay might have been a factor?  (I have enough clay on my Lottie to re-build the Terracotta Army!).

Wow!

[tim]

Yes, Jimbo - carrots 'like a soak in off-the-boil water', then dry before sowing.

Aqui's point about covering with compost - I use potting compost, so that you can have a very thin weed-free cover & can see the row clearly.

[Mrs Ava]

How will my curly and flat leaf parsley have faired after the heavy frosts??  Haven't been able to get to the plot for a few days!  Should I dig some up and pot up in the greenhouse??

[terrace max]

Should I dig some up and pot up in the greenhouse??

I did just that with a few plants last year EJ, but needn't have bothered - the plants I left outside were fine. The flat leaf type gets a bit coarse by spring, though.

[carloso]

My basil was very slow to germinate last yr i thought it had died at one point but in the end came through very nice and tasty !!

carl

[adrianhumph]

 Hi all,  :D
                I didn`t have any problems growing curly or flat leaf parsley (cheapo seeds from wilko`s & lidl)  ;D . My query is,  will they both rise again in the spring  ???  or do i have to start all over again.
                                                               Adrian.

[djbrenton]

Lots of people just buy the growing herbs from the supermarket and plant them. I'm tempted myself after the Great Parsley Fiasco of 2005.

[Motherwoman]

I sow 3 times a year to keep fresh clumps going....But I have a stony allotment and they go to seed easily.If the weather is going to be frosty put a bit of fleece over and hold down with bricks.

[keef]

I sowed mine directly into the ground this year and it was fine, it just take ages to come up. Just be careful weeding.

I dont think it minds the frost.

It'll actually grow for a second summer / autum if you leave it in the ground, well mine did a couple of years ago..

[PakChoi]

I grow curly and flat-leaf and both seem to germinate ok - I just soak them overnight in water, in separate jars of course so that I know which is which. ;D 
The curly parsley is outside, growing in an old wine box and seems not to be bothered by frost, looks a little cold in the morning but perks up to normal during the day, which is a pleasant surprise.

[juniper]

I prefer flat leaf parsley. It germinates within a few days if sown in May or June in the greenhouse. It is fine throughout the winter, I picked some in freezing conditions earlier on this week, and used it freshly picked.

Just remember that parsley will run to seed in its second summer, so it is a good idea to sew seeds a couple of years running. After that, self-seeding will keep you in parsley for years to come. Just let one or two plants run to seed, and the seeds from the autumn will germinate the following summer.

[Derekthefox]

Flat leaf for me next year, something missed off my seedlist ...

Derekthefox :D

[Derekthefox]

Wardy, why remove the stalks? Are they inedible? What if chopped finely ?

Derekthefox :D