Parsley bed and self seeded parsley

[Rabidbun]

Afternoon all!

Just got back in from examining the parsley that helpfully seeded itself into my raised bed and pots (and front drive, oops ) last year and it seems to be growing fine. I have read, however, that if happy, the parsley will quite cheerfully self seed in an area and perpetuate itself. This, in itself, is great (I love parsley).

But, I was wondering if it needs help (in terms of thinning and/or spreading out the seeds) to do this? The seeds themselves have germinated fairly closely, so I was wondering if all would sort itself naturally rather than me having to give a helping hand with my scissors?

Edit: And yeah, am a lazy soul.

[Aberdeenplotter]

The biggest problem you will have is that new plants will be growing amongst established plants and it may sometimes be difficult to establish which is which. If it seems to be thriving though, I'd be inclined to leave it be except for perhaps transplanting a few seedlings into a more appropriate location.

[Jeanied]

Parsley is biennial - so let some of it flower to set seeds for next year. That way you get a permanent patch.

[Rabidbun]

Thanks, will let it be for now then.

Will probably end up thinning as I cook with it in any event, but I do love parsley, so I like the idea of having it do most of the work for me.

[mrbadexample]

I bought parsley from Morrisons today for a recipe. How can I best care for the rest of the pot? Will it live outdoors?

[wellie]

Years ago, I read in one of my gardening books that Parsley was a good herb to grow in an Asparagus bed, because it would/could self seed and perpetuate itself, without interfering with the main crop.

I did that successfully with Coriander in my last abode, and I'm just toying with trying the parsley on both sides of my 'Sparagus Beds here at The Funny Farm, as I've got shed-loads of both Curled and French Flat-Leaf seedlings ready to plant.
I wonder if Dill or Chervil would work as well? What d'ya think?

[wellie]

Mrbadexample, yes it will indeedy.
Remove your parsley plant from its' pot. Fill another larger pot with a good multlipurpose potting compost, and put your parsley plant into it, so that the rootball is nice and snug in the new compost area. Water it in, and keep it somewhere shaded out of the sun for a week or so to let the roots get going in the new compost. When it's actively growing again on top, give it some more water, but not too much? You'll have to keep it in a conservatory or on a bright windowsill to start with, as it won't be 'big enough and ugly enough' to reside outdoors for a while yet.
Hope this helps.X

[hamsterqueen]

I let my parsley flower and go to seed last year to attract insects, have nearly a whole bed of seedlings, with that and the mint which has gone rampant I am looking forward to tabbouleh with most meals this Summer.

Ironically I spent years trying to encourage the spindly mint to grow and have had no luck trying to raise parsley from seed. Just ignoring it and letting it do its own thing has worked far better

[chris]

I did the same with oregano - it's lovely when you walk past it The slugs seem to ignore it too for some reason?

[Mikey]

My mother always used to swear that parsley flourishes where the lady rules the roost. It's only recently being growing well for my mother, I would say it roughly coincided with my fathers retirement.

[mrbadexample]

Mrbadexample, yes it will indeedy.....Hope this helps.X

Diolch yn fawr!

[Comfreyfan]

Years ago, I read in one of my gardening books that Parsley was a good herb to grow in an Asparagus bed, because it would/could self seed and perpetuate itself, without interfering with the main crop.

I did that successfully with Coriander in my last abode, and I'm just toying with trying the parsley on both sides of my 'Sparagus Beds here at The Funny Farm, as I've got shed-loads of both Curled and French Flat-Leaf seedlings ready to plant.
I wonder if Dill or Chervil would work as well? What d'ya think?

Dill, Basil and Comfrey (aswell as Parsley and Coriander) are good companion plants for asparagus apparently. I hadn't thought about growing anything alongside my asparagus, re-thinking now! It would be good for the bindweed to have something else to strangle rather than the ferns after I stop cutting the spears

Many years ago there was a lovely big bed of parsley here when we moved in, but I rapidly killed it off by not allowing it to go to seed - I now know a little bit better!

[wellie]

Mikeywills.....now that made me laugh?
I'd never have considered Dill in an Asparagus Bed, but when it starts to flower amongst the Asparagus Fronds, in a Pretty Productive Plot, that would be an amazing sight.
Seriously, I love that idea. Ooh! Girlie in a Sweet Shop.X Thoughts needed now in the next few days, because herbs that bolt/run to seed easily,(and I need to plant them before the week is out) need planting in fairly specific locations, and I do have a triangliar bed near to the house/tap that has early sun then shade, and the Coriander/Parsleys would be perfect there, and could seed themselves at their leisure year on year.
I'll sleep on it......

[donnakebab]

I've got a lovely bed of curly leaf parsley on my lottie. It's the first time I've grown it and am amazed how well it has done. I had no problems with germination. This year it will produce seed (I hope) which I will save and I assume some of it will self seed in the bed.

I have 3 questions.
1. Will the old plants die off after seeding? (I think yes)
2. Can I leave any self seeded plants on the original bed or should I create a new bed for rotation?
3. As I had no problems getting the original seeds to germinate does it follow that the next generation seeds will be as easy? There are some fellow parsley lovers on my lottie site and I have been telling them to help themselves when they like so I thought I would like to give them some seeds as they say they have never been successful when trying to grow it.

[Jeanied]

Well I am not totally a parsley expert but I think the answer to your questions are:-
1. Yes eventually
2. Not unless you get a disease in the bed which affects parsley - not sure what this would be though.
My mother's parsley patch lasted over 20 years.
3. I think fresh parsley seeds germinate well - I did a germination test on my fine leafed parsley - harvested this autumn and tested in November - some of the seeds were up in 7-10 days.