Chinese Parsley

Growing Tips: Chinese Parsley

Quick Reference:

Plant seed 1/4" deep spaced 1 to 2 inches apart. Darkness required for germination. Germination: 10 to 14 days. Space between plants in the garden, 8 to 10 inches.

When and where to plant:

An easy to grow annual that likes cool weather and grows well in Alaska. Chinese parsley prefers to be planted where it will remain all summer, it does not transplant well. Plant seed directly in the garden after the last frost in spring. Choose a sunny location with any average, well drained soil, cultivate, enrich with plant food, smooth the soil surface and plant by sprinkling the seed down the row in a shallow trench. Cover the seed with 1/4 inch fine soil, firming soil over seed, seed requires darkness to germinate, water well for good seed-soil contact and keep soil moist until seedlings emerge. When started indoors, plant 2 to 3 seeds, 4 to 5 weeks ahead in individual plastic pots so the root mass will slide out easily without causing root damage when being transplanted.

Care: Keep soil moist, weed free and apply plant food once a month.

Harvest:

Pick the bottom leaves as needed, fresh leaves have the best flavor. For coriander cut the entire plant as the seed darkens and hang upside down over a cloth to catch the seed as it dries.