Guv's Gardens
Photo: H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Sun
- Full sun to part shade.
- Soil
- Moist, fertile and well-drained.
- Soil pH
- About 6.0-7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral).
- Water
- Water regularly; keep soil moist.
- Hardiness
- Hardy biennial; all Australian climate zones.
- Height and spread
- About 30-60 cm.
Guv's tipParsley germinates slowly and erratically, up to three or four weeks, so soaking the seed helps. Don't give up on it, I beg you.
Through the year
Timings are for temperate Australia. Tropical and arid gardens follow different seasons.
When to plant
Spring to autumn in most areas (also late winter in warm areas).
Harvest or flowering
Harvest from about 10-16 weeks. A biennial - it flowers and runs to seed in its second year.
Pruning
Pick outer stems; remove flowering stems to extend the harvest.
Making more plants
Seed (slow, erratic germination - up to 3-4 weeks; soaking helps).
Watch out for
Aphids
Look for: Clusters of small sap-suckers on new growth; curled leaves; sticky honeydew.
What to do: Hose off, encourage natural predators, or use insecticidal soap or a registered pyrethrum spray.
Always read and follow the label on any treatment, and check it is approved for use where you live.
Safety and spread
Pets and people: Toxic to dogs, cats and horses (ASPCA): furanocoumarins can cause photosensitisation if large amounts are eaten. Other pet-poison lists also advise caution.
Weed risk: Not listed as a weed on Weeds Australia or the Queensland restricted invasive plant list.
Growing somewhere else? See this plant for the UK and the USA.
The Plant Doctor and the Guv's book
Printable pest and disease charts with real photographs, and all 50 Australia plants in one book.
