Germinating Parsley

[roitelet]

Parsley can be very difficult to get to germinate so you might like to try this ;- make the drill for the seed in the usual way and before sowing the seed pour boiling water along it then sow the seed and cover in the usual way.

Germination is stimulated by changes in temperature and you are just giving nature a helping hand I don't know if it works for anything else but it has always worked for me with parsley.

[silvermam]

I just sat down with my box of seeds to see what I can plant and parsley was one of the ones on my list to do. I'm starting them of inside because the garden isn't ready yet. I was wondering if germination is stimulated by tempdifferences would it work to stick it in the freezer for a few hours/night? I'm reusing milkbottles to germinate in so don't really want to use boiling water.

Thanks!
V

[rustylady]

Why is it that packeted seed seems to be so difficult to germinate, yet I've got self-sown parsley seedlings growing in the borders?

[Alice]

Thanks for that Roitelet. Hadn't thought of it for parsley. It also works (well seems to for me) for tree seeds and things which have been pre-chilled.
Rustylady, some things just do come so much better from fresh seed - blue meconopsis being one. Alchemilla (SP ?) did practically nothing for me from a packet, but the few I got have seeded all over the place. Welsh Poppies likewise. They seem to like to germinate in the gravel. Maybe that should tell us something.

[roitelet]

I just sat down with my box of seeds to see what I can plant and parsley was one of the ones on my list to do. I'm starting them of inside because the garden isn't ready yet. I was wondering if germination is stimulated by tempdifferences would it work to stick it in the freezer for a few hours/night? I'm reusing milkbottles to germinate in so don't really want to use boiling water.

Thanks!
V

Don't really know Silverman, worth a try though. Yuo would certainly get tempertature differences!

[bubblewrap]

Had no problem myself I just made a drill scattered the seed & covered over.
It grew very well witn a good yield!

[bubblewrap]

PS they need lots of waer!

[madderbat]

Hi silvermam, good luck with your parsley.

Legend says it should be planted by the boss of the house (BW had good luck with it last year!) and set on Good Friday for best results.
According to the Moon gardening diary, Friday 6th April is a 'leaf' day, so this may work.

[macci]

I have not had trouble with Parsley before, just sow in a seed tray, cover with a lid and put on a windowsill (mine is west facing) but you may have to wait a month. By this time most people will have chucked the stuff out but trust me. It doesn't mind being transplanted and is quite tough.