Sowing Parsley for Winter: Tips for Soil Preparation and Care

Root parsley withstands winter cold remarkably well, making it suitable for sowing in winter. The autumn period is considered optimal for sowing this biennial crop: in the first year, the root vegetable is grown, and in the second year, the plant produces seeds.

This is reported by AgroReview

Features of Autumn Sowing of Parsley

Parsley is sown at the end of October or the beginning of November in open sunny areas with light, loose soil. Before sowing, the soil is thoroughly dug and organic matter is added to improve its structure. The seeds for autumn sowing should be dry. If sowing in spring, it is recommended to soak the seeds for 2–3 days beforehand to speed up germination.

The seeds are buried in the soil to a depth of 1–1.5 cm, with rows spaced up to 20 cm apart. After the seedlings emerge, thinning is done twice: initially, a distance of 3–4 cm between plants is left, and later it is increased to 10 cm.

Care for Parsley and Harvesting

Parsley requires regular weeding, soil loosening, and fertilization. It is important to remember that the root form does not respond well to manure application, so it is better to use complex fertilizers at the beginning of the growing season and phosphorus-potassium fertilizers in August. A solution of bird droppings is also suitable for fertilization, especially after cutting the greens.

“Root vegetables should be harvested before the frost, but a few plants can be left covered with peat or sawdust — this way, you will have fresh greens early in spring.”

During dry periods, it is recommended to water parsley to stimulate leaf growth. When cutting leaves, leave about 7 cm of the stem — this will allow new greens to grow back within a month. However, if you want to obtain full-sized root vegetables, the stems should only be partially cut.

Parsley root vegetables are harvested before frost arrives, but some plants can be left in the bed, covered with peat or sawdust. This allows for fresh greens to be obtained right after the snow melts in spring.