Container Gardening: Parsley is Easy and Useful

Want to grow an edible in the winter that is relatively easy and extremely useful? Planting purchased transplants in a container now can supply you with enough parsley for most of your cooking needs for the next few months.

Leaf parsley is well-suited to growing in containers, and often has fewer problems in containers than many other vegetables. Both flat-leaf and curly parsley varieties can be grown in containers, and growing parsley in containers allows the added benefit of moving pots into sun during short winter days and into afternoon shade as weather warms closer to spring. Pots tend to dry out more quickly than garden beds, so be sure to provide sufficient water to parsley to prevent wilting. Wet soil is also an issue for parsley; use containers and soil that drain well. GardenZeus recommends container depth of at least 12 inches for Italian or flat-leaf parsley, and at least 8 to 12 inches for curly parsley.

Avid chefs may want to place containers of parsley close to the kitchen door for easy harvest with kitchen shears and rapid insertion in their latest culinary creation.

If growing parsley in larger pots or containers mixed with other herbs, select companions that are not closely related to parsley, such as thyme, basil, oregano, and mint.

Dwarf parsley varieties are particularly recommended for containers. Extra Curled Dwarf may be the best variety for smaller containers, with its especially attractive leaves and unusually good flavor for a curled variety.