Q&A for How to Harvest Parsley

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  • Question
    HI. Do you use fresh or dried parsley?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
    Professional Gardener
    Expert Answer
    You can use parsley either fresh or dried, depending on the recipe and your preferences.
  • Question
    Is it possible to ingest parsley seeds?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
    Professional Gardener
    Expert Answer
    No, don't eat your parsley seeds. You can use them to grow another crop of parsley next season.
  • Question
    How long can I store a parsley seed head?
    Community Answer
    If you place the seeds inside of a zip-loc bag inside of a sealed glass container in your fridge, they can easily last up to three years.
  • Question
    Do I keep watering my parsley after it has gone to seed?
    Community Answer
    There is really no need to do so. Once it goes to seed, the leaves lose their flavor and the plant will soon die off. I usually just get rid of the plant as soon as I get the seeds from it.
  • Question
    Does parsley like moist or dry soil?
    Community Answer
    My parsley always appears to do very well in moist soil, thriving during rainy times. It also appears to hang in there pretty well if left dry for a few days in the summer, but I avoid this situation whole-heartedly!
  • Question
    My garden parsley is old. Can I still harvest it?
    Community Answer
    Parsley is biannual; the plant will die after it seeds. If the old plant is a second-year plant, you can harvest it, but the flavor is not as good as that of a first-year plant. If it is a first-year plant, harvest all you want until the season ends and the plant dies off for winter.
  • Question
    Can parsley grow well in pots or does it only grow well in the ground?
    Community Answer
    I’ve used canvas bag planters; the 18 inch diameter size grows 3 parsley plants very nicely. With planters, one can provide perfect soil!
  • Question
    Can parsley be used while it is blooming and going to seed? Is it toxic?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can eat it even when it's blooming and producing seeds. If you eat it It will have a less strong taste and a subtle texture. It is not toxic.
  • Question
    Does parsley need full sun or shade?
    Community Answer
    It depends on the species. Italian parsley likes full sun; while curly parsley likes a position where it can get roughly around 4 hours of sunlight a day.
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