Petroselinum crispum

A biannual herb growing to 0.8m tall and 0.6m wide.

Leaves are 3-pinnate, divided into three segments and toothed, bright green and aromatic. Through the summer of its second-year heads of tiny yellow-green flowers are produced on tall stems.

Prefers full sun with well-drained soil.

Always choose healthy, well-grown plants. Parsley is best planted in spring after rain has occurred. Before planting, ensure the root ball is saturated and remove the planter bag or pot with minimal root disturbance. Trim any broken roots and plant at the same level as in the container. Dig a hole twice the diameter of the root ball and firm in and water once planted. Make sure plants are watered well until established if planting in a drier period. Plant with some general slow-release fertiliser and then every spring apply an organic-based fertiliser such as blood and bone at a handful per square metre as new growth begins.

Apply an organic mulch annually to help suppress weeds and conserve moisture. Feed annually in spring with a balanced fertiliser such as blood and bone at a handful per square metre in spring as new growth begins. Spent flower stems can be trimmed off with snips if you don't wish to collect seed for future plantings. It is best to plant successively so that you have a continuous supply especially as parsley is biannual. Once it is a couple of years old then you should replace the plants so that the leaves stay fresh and tender for picking.

Attracts beneficial insects and pollinators to the garden.

Can get whitefly and leaves may be affected by virus or leaf spot.

A great companion plant for tomatoes, chives, asparagus and roses.

Herb Garden