[adri]

I'm so used to buying the fresh herbs in pots from the supermarket that I'm not sure whether XYZ herb should or should not be grown in a pot.

Current dilemma is Parsley.  Would it do better in the bed in a polytunnel or in a pot.  Does it depend on whether it's an annual or perrenial?

TIA

Adri

[snowdrops]

Any would be fine, for parsley during the winter I'd sow some in the PT. But really it depends on how much you use as to how much to sow I'd have thought. Following another thread on here I'm re watching Fork to fork on you tube with Monty Don, just watched the herb episode,3. Might be worth you watching. Chap next to me at the allotment always has a lovely long row of parsley on the plot all winter,sows it around August I think. I intend to be self sufficient in these herbs by next year,I'm sick of the little flies that come with the bought ones as well as the cost. DD uses loads

[sunshineband]

Agree with Snowy that parsley does well in pots, the ground, or under cover, but tbh it is polytunnel space wasted on it for most of the year, as it copes perfectly well outside.

I have a half row of curly that is now on its second year and running to seed, and flat leaf that has been out since mid March (sown indoors as it was so wet everywhere)

Great to be able to use it in great big handfuls 

[DD.]

Parsley is a biennial.

I sow some every year, starting it off in a seed tray and planting out in clumps. It's at its most productive about this time of year in its second year, before it goes to seed.

I find no need to grow it inside, but if you do, the advantage, of course, is that you don't have to look for it under several feet of snow!

[DD.]

Pretty much snap!

[snowdrops]

[quote author=DD. link=topic=114825.msg1320655#msg1320655 date

I find no need to grow it inside, but if you do, the advantage, of course, is that you don't have to look for it under several feet of snow!
[/quote]

Yes that's what I was thinking with the suggestion for winter use plus it does wilt if severely frosted.

[Lardman]

Having had germination problems with curly I tried the flat leaf this year and it's a total waste of space - no taste to it at all, Im going back to curly sown thickly in 3" pots every week and cutting the lot when it's needed. Coriander the same, although the pots are bigger as I use more. 

[sunshineband]

When we have several feet of snow I cannot get out of our house, so tend not to worry about finding the parley at the plot 

Last time that was forecast I went and cut  a lot, and kept some on the windowsill in a vase, and some in the fridge in a placky bag, which did us for a while

[snowdrops]

Yes it does keep well like that Sunny

[JayG]

I grow flat-leaf parsley in a fairly shady spot as I have a few of those and it's one of the few Mediterranean herbs which seems to prefer a bit of shade as well as a relatively moist, fertile soil.

It can look a bit sorry for itself in the depths of winter, and doesn't grow much when it's very cold - I'd probably start some off in early autumn for winter use from the GH if I ever remembered to think about it at the right time!