You can grow parsley and other herbs from seeds, but the germination process takes time. Cuttings are more successful than seeds because they start growing right away rather than waiting for a seed to sprout. You might not want to wait that long when you need fresh cuttings of parsley since most people only use it in recipes occasionally or if their garden has outgrown its space as opposed to using every part of some herb like dill which is used often throughout many dishes both Eastern European and Middle Eastern cuisines alike – so let’s get started!
How to Grow Parsley
Parley prefers cooler temperatures, so plan to plant your seeds in late winter or early spring if starting indoors. Transplant outside or plant seeds in the garden when the soil temperature is at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit and air temperatures rise to 60 to 65 degrees. In hot climates, you can plant parsley in fall for a winter garden or early winter to late spring for a summer garden.
Choose a well-drained, sunny or partial-shade location in the garden and dig in 2 to 4 inches of compost. Alternatively, fill flower pots with a loose, rich potting mix to make a container garden. Soak the seeds overnight in warm water before planting 1/4 inch deep and 6 to 8 inches apart. Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist until the seeds germinate in five to six weeks.
Continue to water regularly; don’t let the soil dry out. Mulch around the plants to slow evaporation from the soil. Fertilize two to three times during the growing season with seaweed extracts or compost tea or by side-dressing with compost.
Grow Parsley From Cuttings
Like most herbs, all three types of parsley can be started from cuttings, even from precut bundles purchased in a grocery store. Use sterilized scissors to take a 3- to 5-inch-long cutting just below a leaf node. Remove the leaves from the bottom two-thirds of the stem. Put it in warm water in a jar or insert it into moist sand, perlite or a combination of equal parts perlite and peat moss.
Hamburg parsley can also be started from kitchen scraps. When cutting up the root, leave 1/2 to 1 inch of the top and an equal amount of the foliage. Place the cut side down in 1/2 to 1 inch of water or plant in moist sand or potting soil.
Place the parsley cutting in a brightly lit, sunny window. Change the water every few days, or if you are growing it in soil, keep the mix evenly moist as the plant grows new roots and foliage. Harvest the new leaves as needed for cooking. Hamburg leaves are on the bitter side and are stronger flavored than the other parsley varieties, so you might want to transplant the cutting outside to nourish black swallowtail and other caterpillars rather than using it in your food.
Care For Cuttings
You can start propagating new plants at home in just 2 weeks. Here are a few tips to help you get the best results:
Watering: Watering is vital for propagating succulents. After planting the cuttings in the soil, give them water immediately to prevent dehydration and kill any chance of root development before it starts. To make sure you’re not overwatering your plants, check that the top 2 inches of dirt have moisture – when they do, don’t tend these particular plants again until at least a day has passed or their leaves start drooping from dryness (which will happen during hot summers). Always be careful with watering: too much can cause wilting while under-watering results in death!
Harvesting
With patience, your cuttings will produce a lush and full house plant. Simply allow the leaves to grow until they are vibrant green in color before harvesting them with clean sharp tools. Parsley plants have a 2-year life cycle. In the first growing season, you will harvest full-grown stems from your parsley plant and in its second growth stage, it produces seeds to be harvested for next year’s crops.
