In this article, you are going to learn how to grow parsley in Florida. Let’s get started.
Overview
The ‘Plain/ Flat Leaf’ selections, most termed as ‘Italian Parsley,’ the ‘Curled Leaf’ selections, as well as ‘Parsley Root’ or ‘Hamburg Parsley,’ are all indigenous to the Mediterranean region.
European colonists brought this magnificent herb to the Americas in the 17th century, as per the University of Florida journal “Parsley.” It is still one of the most widely planted herb species in home gardens today. Even in Northeast Florida’s tropical climate gardens, it’s one of the simplest herbs to grow.
How To Grow Parsley In Florida
To Grow Parsley in Florida, the following conditions must be met:
Growing Season
In Florida, parsley thrives all year. It’s a cool-season biennial that, if planted in the correct area, can endure for more than one growing season. From September to May, parsley is commonly grown in Northeast Florida as an annual.
For optimal results, plant Parsley seeds in the fall, at least 60 days before the first winter (October/November), or in the early spring (February).
Sunlight
If you’re planting parsley as an annual plant to remove after harvest as the temperature warms up over the summer, plant it in full sun. If you intend to keep your parsley in the ground for more than a season or two, plant it in a part shade /part sun location in our Jacksonville and St. Augustine Florida gardens.
Parsley also grows well under trees with a light canopy (such as a native pine tree) that enables lots of light to reach its foliage. If you’re going to plant parsley on a porch, patio, or as an indoor house plant, make sure it gets at least 4-6 hours of light each day.
Soil Preference
Soils with a high moisture content yet good drainage. When growing parsley in the ground, carefully enrich the soil with compost; it functions as a sponge, keeping the soil moist and well-drained.
If the soil is not well-drained, parsley grown in the ground during the summer will suffer from root rot during the rainfall. (Planting beneath root-thirsty trees will help, but you’ll need to ensure to hydrate well when it’s not raining, just like you would with potted herbs.)
When putting new Parsley plants, extensively enrich your planting site with compost, as well as every year in the early spring if you wish to retain them for more than one season.
The plant and root structure of parsley adapts itself well to potted or container gardening because they take up very little space. Allow 12 inches of room in your pot for parsley to grow for optimal results.
Water and Fertilizer Requirements
Water newly planted seeds till the first set of adult leaves develop, then 3 times a week, twice a week, then 3 to 4 times a week for in-ground plants, and three to 4 times a week for potted containers.
It’s worth noting that once parsley is established in high-quality compost, it requires relatively little watering. You can have your parsley grown in a 6 inch elevated compost bed and can leave it alone to thrive on the native rains, except when rainfall conditions are low and boost with weekly or semiweekly watering during summer droughts.
It should, however, be situated so that it enjoys afternoon shade from a neighboring shade tree throughout the summer months. More water is required to keep plants growing and healthy if they are exposed to more summer sun or have a limited root system in a small container and shared spoils in a big mixed herb container.
Don’t worry if all of this sounds too hard; I’ve discovered that parsley is incredibly forgiving and will recover quickly from negligence with proper watering and fertilization.
Harvesting Parsley
Parsley can be harvested as soon as 60 days after sowing. To get the greatest results, cut the lowest leaves off slightly above the ground level. Parsley makes a great dried herb for adding flavor to soups, potatoes, spaghetti sauce, and other dishes when dried slowly.
When I have more fresh produce than I need, I like to dehydrate it with an inexpensive dehydrator. If you don’t have one, there are a few basic actions you can do. To begin, wash and dry your fresh garden herbs by hand.
After that, knot a little bundle of Herbs together at the stalks using string, fishing line, or twine. Allow for it to dry by hanging it on a coat hanger in a doorway. When you touch it, it breaks in your fingers.
