This herb is not only very aromatic, but also full of vitamins, minerals and trace elements. One more reason to sow them in the garden at home or in a pot on the balcony.
Best time
Due to its origin, this culinary herb is a plant that needs warmth, which of course also affects the time of sowing. The soil should have a temperature of at least eight degrees, otherwise there could be problems with germination. These temperatures are reached around March / April, depending on the weather. Ideally, the seeds are brought into the ground in July / August, then they grow particularly quickly and can be harvested into autumn.
Since this plant is a biennial herb, it will sprout again next spring. If, despite everything, you decide to sow the seeds as early as possible, it is advisable to protect the seeds with plastic hoods or to sow them in a cold frame. Theoretically, the pot can be sown all year round, usually from February to March. In addition, the plants can also be grown in pots and then planted out.
According to the lunar calendar
If you follow the lunar calendar for sowing, the time can be restricted a little more precisely. This should have a particularly effective effect on growth. Responsible for this are the forces of the moon, which not only affect the tides,
but also to influence the juices inside the plants. When gardening according to the lunar calendar, this culinary herb is one of the group of plants that should be sown on the so-called leaf days.Tip: It is not clear whether the lunar calendar can actually affect the growth of plants. However, there are empirical values from hobby gardeners, according to which one should definitely try including the lunar calendar.
Create optimal conditions
The seeds of Petroselinum crispum have the property that they germinate poorly, very slowly and unevenly. It can take several weeks before the first seedlings can be seen. But with good preparation you can significantly improve the germination conditions.
- first find the right location
- if site conditions are poor, germination may not occur at all
- Parsley seeds are so-called dark germs
- short-wave light would impair germination
- therefore choose a partially shaded location
- as well as a permeable and humus-rich soil
- Soil should be thoroughly loosened and weeds should be removed
- Incorporation of some ripe compost is conducive to germination
- especially on poor soils
- fresh fertilizer would affect germination
- additional germination support by soaking the seeds
- put in lukewarm water for several hours
Tip: Petroselinum crispum belongs to the umbelliferae. This means that it is incompatible with itself and with other umbelliferae such as dill, fennel or celery, which you should consider when sowing.
Sow in the bed
When the soil and outside temperatures are appropriate, the soil has been thoroughly loosened, weeded and smoothed, sowing can begin.
- to do this, pull out the corresponding rows of seeds
- at intervals of 20-30 cm and approx. one to two inches deep
- Mix previously soaked seeds with a little sand when sowing
- to prevent the seeds from sticking together
- Spread the seeds thinly in the grooves
- then cover with soil
- so that enough seeds germinate, it is better to create additional rows
- keep the soil sufficiently moist for the next four to six weeks
If the soil dries out in the meantime, there is a risk that the seeds will become rotten to germination and may lie in the soil for up to two years before they germinate or germination does not occur at all. If the young seedlings are large enough, they can be pricked out, both in the bed and in the pot.
Tip: Tensioning a string not only straightens the rows of satellites, you can also easily locate them during the germination phase and remove weeds regularly without causing damage.
In the pot
For cultivation in pots, you fill growing trays or small pots with sieved, nutrient-poor potting soil and press it lightly. Spread the parsley seeds on top and cover them again with substrate. The covering substrate layer should be about one centimeter thick.
After pressing again, the soil is moistened, ideally using a conventional spray bottle. Now you put the whole thing in a warm, not sunny place. The germination temperature
should be between 20 and 25 degrees. As soon as the first seedlings can be seen, they can be placed a little cooler.Tip: In order to be able to harvest enough green leaves, one should sow up to ten seeds per pot, correspondingly more in large pots.
Prick out seedlings
In most cases, the fine seeds are sown too densely so that they have to be separated in due course. This moment has come when the young plants have developed further leaves after the actual cotyledons. Then they are vigorous enough to be planted in their final location.
Plants that were sown in spring usually need a little more time until they are large enough to be isolated. It is a little faster with August sowings, they germinate faster and can be pricked out earlier. We recommend a distance of about 10 cm between the individual plants and about 20 cm to other vegetable plants.
Tip: If you want to prevent too dense sowing, you can use a so-called marker seed with radish seeds, whereby the two are mixed. When the parsley plants begin to grow, the radishes can already be harvested, creating space.
Collect your own seeds
If you don't want to buy seeds, you can easily harvest and sow them from existing parsley. To do this, the plants are allowed to bloom, which, by the way, only happens in the second year between June and July. When the seeds are ripe, they can simply be plucked off. They are then left to air dry for a few days. Then they can be sown. Leftover seeds can be stored in a paper bag for the next season. Some of them can germinate for up to three years.
Caution poisonous!
During flowering, parsley forms toxic apiol, an essential oil in high concentrations, which can cause health problems. As a result, they should not be eaten after flowering and pregnant women should also avoid them. In general, this herb should only be consumed in moderation.