Parsley Plain Leaved or French Herb Seeds

Seed Count apx: 370 (1g)

Parsley, Plain Leaved also known as French Parsley. Vigorous plants and distinct broad serrated flat leaves that are good flavour and generally regarded to have have a slightly better flavour and texture than curly parsley. Widely grown & used by the continentals also used for bunching but useful for pot cultivation.

This hardy biennial is one of the most popular herbs for culinary use as a garnish, flavouring sauces and pastry, and associating particularly well with fish. With a stronger flavour than curled varieties, this 'Flat-leaved' or 'French' Parsley makes a useful, low maintenance addition to herb gardens, or grow parsley indoors on a bright kitchen windowsill. Height and spread: 45cm (18?).

Sowing & Planting

Soak seed for 30min in warm water to help break down the seed natural germination inhibitors then directly sow parsley seed outdoors from March to July. Grow parsley in a well prepared seedbed in full sun or partial shade. Sow seeds thinly at a depth of 1cm (½in) in drills 30cm apart. Parsley seeds are very slow to germinate taking up to 28 days, especially in wet, cold soils.
Seeds can also be sown indoors or under glass from August to February for fresh leaves all year round. Sow into 7.5cm (3") pots of free-draining seed compost, maintaining a temperature of 18-21C (65-70F) until after germination. When large enough to handle, thin out seedlings to 23cm (9") apart. Gradually acclimatise parsley plants to outdoor conditions over 7 - 10 days before planting outdoors when risk of frost has passed.

Harvesting

10-12 weeks from sowing ? May onwards. September sowings will be April but they will be past it by June, but the spring sowings will then be productive

Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle into 7.5cm (3in) pots. Plant in the greenhouse in individual large pots, or 3 plants per growbag when 20cm (8in) high. Can be planted outdoors, 45cm (18in) apart once all frost risk has passed

Suitable for the vegetable garden, allotments and containers.

Be prepared to water well and supplement feed with high-potash feed during season. Regular feeding is recommended.