"Petroselinum crispum: Many gardeners think parsley seed is hard to sprout, so they buy or raise transplants. Actually, it sprouts readily outdoors if planted early enough. Parsley is quite cold hardy, often surviving below 10°F. Even if the tops die back, the roots re-sprout in spring, allowing a heavy cutting until the plant spends itself out flowering.

CULTURE: Parsley likes rich soil with lots of nitrogen.TO DIRECT SOW: If the parsley bed was manured the previous fall, no additional fertilizer is needed. If no manure was applied, the following works well: make a shallow furrow about 4 inches deep and band blood meal in the bottom of the furrow 1 cup per 5 row feet. Composted chicken manure also works well. Cover and fill in the furrow until it's only 1/2 inch deep. Sow 2-3 seeds per inch and cover. Rows can be 12-18 inches apart. Germination may take up to 3 weeks at an optimum soil temperature of 50-75°F. The seeds must stay wet during this time. Thinning is optional, but recommended at 6-8 inches apart in the row.
FOR TRANSPLANTS: Start seed in flats or individual pots. Sow seed 1/2 inch deep, 2-3 seeds per inch in the flat. Keep moist and follow the fertilizer and spacing tips above.
INSECTS/PESTS: Almost nonexistent in a healthy garden.
DISEASE: Relatively disease-free.
HARVEST: Cut individual sprigs as needed from the outside edges of the plants. For drying, cut all but the center growth. Quick dry the leaves in a food dehydrator, then store in an airtight container in the dark.
SEED SPECS: Minimum germination standard: 65%. Days to maturity are calculated from date of direct seeding; subtract 20-25 days if transplanting. Usual seed life: 2 years. Approximately 350 seeds per gram; 28 grams per ounce.

Sampler: 2 grams
Packet: 7 grams"

   Open Pollinated