Parsley: light germinator or dark germinator?

Parsley is one of the most popular herbs. Whether you can successfully grow your own parsley yourself depends on how your seeds are classified in light or dark germs.

What are light germs?

Plants whose seeds require direct light with high intensity for successful germination are called light germinators. Light germs can be identified by the following indicators:

• very small and light seeds
• direct sowing of the seeds on the surface of the earth
• Seed is not resp. only slightly covered with earth
• covering soil layer may be max. correspond to the size of the seed
• Examples of light germinating plants: basil, Dill, garden cress

Note: When sowing, the seeds of light germs should be pressed lightly onto moistened soil, otherwise the seeds can easily be washed away by irrigation water or when it rains.

What are dark germs?

Dark germs are plants whose seeds only germinate in sufficient darkness. In contrast to light germs, direct light radiation has a growth-inhibiting effect on dark germs, the seeds require short-wave, blue light. The seeds of dark germs are characterized by the following characteristics:

• large and thick seeds
• Cover the seeds with a layer of earth
• Soil layer is about two to three times as thick as the seed is large
• Examples of dark germs: lamb's lettuce, cucumber, Chives

Parsley - light germinator or dark germinator?

Biologically, parsley belongs to the dark germ group. Your seeds should therefore be covered with a thick layer of soil when sowing. Ideally, the seeds are sown in a light, but protected from direct sunlight spot in loose, humus-rich soil. In the partial shade, however, the plant grows more slowly.

tip: Plant the seeds of the parsley about 1.5 cm; but a maximum of 3 cm deep into the ground.

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