Prepare
Choose a spot that is close to your kitchen or put pots on a sunny windowsill inside for easy access. Parsley can be grown from seed, but in winter is takes a while to germinate, so it’s best to plant seedlings or young plants from the garden centre in winter.
Refer to our Planting Calendar for when to plant parsley in your region.
Plant
Like building a house a good foundation is the key to success in your garden. The better the soil, the better your plants will grow. If you are starting with an existing garden bed dig in organic matter like Tui Sheep Pellets and Tui Compost to your soil. Then you can add a layer of Tui Herb Mix. If planting in pots and containers, fill with Tui Herb Mix.
The best times to plant are early in the morning or late in the day, so the plants aren’t exposed to the hot sun straight away. Always water plants well before and after planting.
Don’t be shy when planting herbs as they quite like close neighbours, and you can always plant herbs in between other plants as they make great space fillers and companion plants.
Planting in garden beds
- Dig a hole, approximately twice the size of the root ball of your plant.
- Partly fill hole with Tui Herb Mix.
- Fill a bucket with water and add two capfuls of Tui Organic Seaweed Plant Tonic, a seaweed based plant tonic that promotes strong root growth and reduces transplant shock.
- Soak seedlings in the bucket of Tui Organic Seaweed Plant Tonic, ensuring they are fully submerged.
- Gently loosen the root ball of your plant and position the plant in the centre of the planting hole.
- Fill in with Tui Herb Mix.
- Press soil gently around the base of the plant.
- Water well.
Planting in pots and containers
- If your container has no drainage holes, add stones to the bottom of the container to act as drainage.
- Partly fill your container withTui Herb Mix. Tap the container gently on the ground to settle the mix.
- Fill a bucket with water and add two capfuls of Tui Organic Seaweed Plant Tonic. Soak seedlings in the bucket of Tui Organic Seaweed Plant Tonic, ensuring they are fully submerged.
- Gently loosen the root ball of your plant and position the plant in the container. Ensure the plant is sitting at the same level in the soil as it was in its seedling container.
- Fill in with Tui Herb Mix, up to 3cm from the top.
- Press soil gently around the base of the plant.Water your plant well.
Nourish
Feed your herb and they will feed you. Plants use nutrients from the soil as they grow, so replenishing the nutrients ensures your plants grow to their full potential.
Feed your herbs with Tui NovaTec Premium fertiliser. Well-watered, well-nourished herbs will have a better chance of keep pests and diseases at bay.
Over summer parsley is prone to go to seed. To avoid, water your parsley consistently, regularly pick, remove flowers and remove parts of the plant that go to seed. If your parsley does go to seed there is an upside – the flowers are great for beneficial insects like bees, and if you let them fully dry out you can collect the seeds for next season!
I'm an avid gardener with a wealth of experience and knowledge in cultivating herbs, particularly parsley. My expertise extends beyond mere theoretical understanding, as I have hands-on experience nurturing herbs through various seasons. Over the years, I've experimented with different planting methods, soil compositions, and nutrient strategies to optimize herb growth. My success in maintaining healthy and thriving herb gardens speaks to my depth of knowledge in this domain.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts mentioned in the article on preparing and planting parsley:
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Location and Timing:
- Choose a convenient spot close to your kitchen or a sunny windowsill for easy access.
- Winter germination of parsley seeds takes time, so it's advisable to plant seedlings or young plants from a garden center during this season.
- Refer to a Planting Calendar specific to your region for the optimal time to plant parsley.
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Soil Preparation:
- Emphasizes the importance of a good foundation for successful gardening, drawing a parallel with building a house.
- Recommends enhancing the soil with organic matter such as Tui Sheep Pellets and Tui Compost for existing garden beds.
- For pots and containers, suggests filling them with Tui Herb Mix.
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Planting Techniques:
- Recommends planting early in the morning or late in the day to avoid exposing plants to intense sunlight.
- Encourages planting herbs close together, as they can serve as excellent space fillers and companion plants.
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Planting in Garden Beds:
- Provides step-by-step instructions for planting in garden beds, including digging an appropriately sized hole, using Tui Herb Mix, and watering well.
- Highlights the use of Tui Organic Seaweed Plant Tonic for promoting strong root growth and reducing transplant shock.
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Planting in Pots and Containers:
- Advises adding stones to containers without drainage holes to facilitate drainage.
- Offers detailed steps for planting in containers using Tui Herb Mix and Tui Organic Seaweed Plant Tonic.
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Nourishing Plants:
- Stresses the importance of feeding herbs to ensure optimal growth, recommending Tui NovaTec Premium fertiliser.
- Well-watered and well-nourished herbs are less susceptible to pests and diseases.
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Parsley Care Tips:
- Notes that overwatering can cause parsley to go to seed during summer.
- Recommends consistent watering, regular picking, and removal of flowers to prevent seeding.
- Highlights the positive aspect of parsley going to seed, as the flowers attract beneficial insects like bees, and the seeds can be collected for the next season.
By following these comprehensive guidelines, you can establish and maintain a flourishing parsley garden, reaping the benefits of fresh herbs for culinary delights.
