Petroselinum crispum
HEIGHT x WIDTH: 40cm x 40cm.
DISTANCE APART: 40cm
WHEN TO HARVEST: Italian parsley loves to be harvested so start using it as soon as it is large enough. Harvest the leaves by using your fingers to gently pull off the outer stems first as the new ones grow from the middle.
HOW MUCH WATER: Water every day.
WHERE TO PLANT: Full sun
CAN I GROW THEM IN A POT? Yes, parsley great in pots. Fill a pot that is 30cm deep with premium potting mix, plant the seedlings and water them well. Make sure that the container gets plenty of sunlight.
CAN I GROW THEM IN A GARDEN BED? Yes, choose a spot that gets 6 hours of sun. Mix lots of compost or animal manure into the soil, plant the seedlings and water well. Spread some mulch such as pea straw or lucerne hay over the soil.
BEST BUDDY PLANTS: Italian parsley is best buddies with carrots and tomatoes but it can be planted with just about any other herb or vegetable.
OTHER ‘SMARTY PLANT’ TIPS:
- When you get your seedlings home, let them sit in a shallow tray of water which has had a tablespoon of seaweed solution added for an hour or two. This will get them ready for transplanting.
- After planting, water the seedlings with a very soft hose or a watering can several times a day until they settle in.
- Water every day and apply a liquid fertiliser every fortnight. The more parsley is harvested, the more it should be fed.
There’s more information at the Smarty Plants website.