[chrisnchris]

Hi all,
Is it too early to germinate parsley, they will ulitmately be planted outside but could be kept in an unheated greenhouse whilst "growing on"

I have kept a lot of seed from last year's crop, in the dark & dry.
Could anyone advise me of the best way to germinate & is there anything I should condition the soil with. I have been told that a little lime is good, but I don't want to "contaminate" the soil incase I want to grow something else in that spot in the future that hates lime !

Thanks

Chris

[JayG]

The only difficult thing about parsley is that the seeds need warmth to germinate and even then they're a bit reluctant (it is related to parsnips, after all!)

Sowing indoors is therefore a good idea; now is a bit early for starting them off for planting outside (usually March) but there is nothing to stop you growing them entirely indoors (a la supermarket pots of growing herbs.)

It likes rich moist soil and possibly prefers a bit less sun than the tougher "Mediterranean" herbs like thyme, sage and rosemary (although if growing indoors at this time of year they will need all the light they can get.)

[Trillium]

I've never bothered adding lime to my soil. I often just direct seed outside and they all come up so really, they're not difficult. If starting in pots, keep lightly moist and in lots of light as suggested. And yes, they do need warmth to germinate.

[chrisnchris]

Thanks, I'll get some going next wk'end.
I have been told that spreading the seeds on damp newspaper/kitchen roll is a good way to germinate...warm place obviously.
Anyone else heard this?

Chris

[JayG]

Thanks, I'll get some going next wk'end.
I have been told that spreading the seeds on damp newspaper/kitchen roll is a good way to germinate...warm place obviously.
Anyone else heard this?

Chris

That's usually called pre-germinating or pre-chitting and lots of people do it, but I'm not one of them (too lazy, and also have never found it necessary!)

It can be useful in determining whether your seeds are actually viable though, which might be a good idea given that you have saved your own seeds.

[DD.]

I sow mine in March in a frost free greenhouse. (Not too warm).

Sprinkle in seed tray of compost.

Cover with 1/4" compost.

Water.

Add patience.

Plant out when large enough.

There's plenty of other things to do whilst the parsley germinates.

[chrisnchris]

It can be useful in determining whether your seeds are actually viable though, which might be a good idea given that you have saved your own seeds.

That's very good advice, thanks Jay

There's plenty of other things to do whilst the parsley germinates.

I'm looking forward to it ....I'm a bit new at all this gardening stuff, so lots & lots of really stupid questions to follow

Thanks

Chris

[Kleftiwallah]

If one of the Chris's has a lumpy shirt  - get her to plant the seeds, there is an old wives tale that parsley seeds will not sprout if a bloke has planted them !     Cheers,    Tony.

[chrisnchris]

If one of the Chris's has a lumpy shirt  - get her to plant the seeds, there is an old wives tale that parsley seeds will not sprout if a bloke has planted them !     Cheers,    Tony.

We both have lumpy shirts ...my lumps are accidental though

I think they're called moobs