parsley seeds

[fairynuff]

My flat leaf parsley has started to flower, which I realise means the plant is on the way out - its been a great flavoured plant though, so if possible I'd like to collect seeds to grow new plants from - what is the best way to do this?

[taff]

let it flower and the flowers die, then either take the heads off and finish drying them indoors, or leave the heads on and hope they stay dry enough for you to collect the seeds. Or you can let it self seed in the same place

[veggiechicken]

My flatleaf parsley is flowering too and I shall save some seeds as taff says ^^^^^^. I'll wait for the seeds to form and a dry day when the heads are really dry. Then cut them off, put them inside a paper bag, hang it upside down and let the seeds fall off inside it - with a few helping shakes!!
Does anyone know whether you can eat parsley seeds or use them in cooking as you can fennel and caraway?

[Peas'n'Kews]

I found out (while doing my Propagation course!) that Parsley is a biennial - so of course it will set seed in its second year and then die out. And as a friend of mine said "so that's why a lot of folk think they can't grow parsley!"

You can just let it regrow from its own seed, if you want.

But for a regular supply of parsley you need both new plants (this year's) and 2nd year plants for seed.....

[fairynuff]

Thanks folks, just what I needed. Good tip about the paper bag veggiechicken

Good point about needing another plant for a steady supply, thanks