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What To Sow
Parsley growing

Photo: Unsplash

Hardy — can tolerate frost

When to plant
parsley in the UK

Slow to germinate (3-4 weeks) — don't give up on it. Soak seeds overnight in warm water to speed things up. Flat-leaf has the stronger flavour.

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10wto harvest
20cmspacing
5°Cmin soil temp
hardyhardiness
Plan it for your plot

Work out your own dates

Starts from the recommended sow date for your area. Sowed on a different day, or planted out late? Adjust below and the harvest moves with it.

Using the UK-average last frost · 15 April · add your postcode to tune it

Sow18 March
Harvest from27 May

Growing journey

Last frost
Sow indoors8w before frost
Direct sow4w before frost
Harvest6w after frost

10 weeks from sowing to harvest

Get parsley seeds

Thompson & MorganSarah RavenSuttons

Links may be affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

What parsley need

Sun or partial shade. Moist, rich soil. Grows brilliantly in pots.

Spacing

20cm

20cm between plants

Give each plant room to spread. Overcrowding reduces yield.

the varieties

Varieties worth growing

Moss Curled

common

The curly parsley that's been sitting on the side of plates since your grandparents went to restaurants. Underrated. Fantastic chopped into everything from tabbouleh to a buttery sauce. Give it the respect it deserves.

in the kitchen

Tabbouleh

A mountain of finely chopped parsley, a modest amount of bulgur wheat, diced tomato, spring onion, lemon juice, and olive oil. It's a parsley salad, not a grain salad. Most people get the ratio wrong.

find the seedsThompson & Morgan→Suttons→
Moss Curled— full guide →

Italian Giant

common

Flat-leaf, big-flavoured, and the one professional kitchens always choose. Grows to a generous size and handles repeated cutting without sulking. The parsley that earns its keep.

in the kitchen

Salsa verde

Blitz flat-leaf parsley with capers, anchovy, garlic, red wine vinegar, and a generous pour of olive oil. Spoon over grilled meat, fish, or roasted vegetables. The green sauce that improves everything.

find the seedsThompson & Morgan→Sarah Raven→
Italian Giant— full guide →

Envy

uncommon

A curly parsley with unusually dark green, tightly curled leaves that hold up well in cooking and on the plate. More vigorous than Moss Curled and with better colour retention. The parsley for people who take their garnishing seriously.

in the kitchen

Chimichurri

Finely chop the curly parsley with garlic, oregano, red wine vinegar, chilli flakes, and olive oil. Let it sit for an hour. Spoon over grilled steak, lamb, or roasted vegetables. The Argentinian sauce that makes everything better.

find the seedsThompson & Morgan→Suttons→
Envy— full guide →

Good companions

Full companion planting guide & chart →

When to sow parsley

Sow indoorsFebruaryMarch
Direct sowMarchApril

Based on UK average frost date. Enter your postcode for exact dates, or find your city.

Seeds

Where to buy parsley seeds

Thompson & MorganSarah RavenSuttons

Links may be affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Get your exact dates

Enter your postcode for personalised planting dates for parsley.

Keep exploring

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Fold outer leaves over the curd to keep it white. Cauliflower leaves are delicio

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Limit each plant to 2-3 fruits for bigger pumpkins. Sit them on a tile or slate

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Pinch out side shoots on cordon types. Feed weekly with tomato feed once the fir

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Start early — they're slow growers. Pinch out the first flower to encourage bush

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