How to grow parsley in a raised bed

Parsley is the workhorse herb — hardy, productive for months, and happy at an easy picking height in a raised bed. The only trick is a little patience getting it started.

Quick facts

• Position: full sun to part shade
• Spacing: 20–25 cm apart
• Tub depth: our 23 cm or 35 cm depth
• Time to harvest: 10–12 weeks, then pick for months

When to plant: Parsley grows nearly year-round in most of Australia. Sow direct or plant seedlings — seed is slow to germinate (up to a few weeks), so don't give up on it. Our free planting calendar shows the right months for your postcode.

Growing them in a raised bed: Sow into moist mix and keep it damp until it comes up. Once established it's very forgiving, and picking regularly keeps it producing well into a second season.

Watering and feeding: Keep the mix evenly moist for lush leaves, and feed lightly now and then.

Common pests: keep an eye out for aphids and caterpillars. Most are easily managed — see our safe pest guide.

Common diseases: the main ones are leaf spot and damping-off. Good airflow, morning watering and steady moisture prevent most.

Companion plants: Parsley is a good all-round companion, and its flowers draw in hoverflies and other beneficial insects. See our companion planting guide.

Harvest and storage: Pick the outer stems from the base and let the centre grow on. Use it fresh, or freeze chopped parsley in ice-cube trays.

Plan your patch: our free planting calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.

Image: H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.