Whether growing it as a seasoning, a garnish or a landscape ornamental, excellent care leads to excellent parsley. This herb prefers full sun, but afternoon shade is fine in higher growing zones. The ideal temperature range is 50-75 degrees. You should use well-draining, slightly acidic soil that is moist but not soggy. One inch of water per week is a good starting point. Mulching will help with water and soil temperature management.

The most dangerous parsley pest is the whitefly, which can cause yellowing, wilting and mold. Look for small white dots as an early sign. Introducing predator insects or spraying insecticide soap on the underside of the leaves is the best deterrent. Parsleyworm caterpillar, aphids and leafhoppers may also feed on your plants.

Starting parsley seeds indoors will extend the growing season and help them establish in optimal conditions. Sow the seeds a quarter-inch deep in a seed-starting mix, doing so 6-8 weeks before the final spring frost. Use well-draining seed trays or cell pots at room temperature; place them under grow lights or by a south-facing window. Gently water the soil often enough to keep it moist, and consider a vented humidity dome. It may take up to four weeks for seeds to germinate.

Begin direct seeding and transplanting 2-3 weeks after the final spring frost. You can also plant 8-10 weeks before the first fall frost for a second harvest. Select a sunny location and plant the seeds 1-2 inches apart, separating the rows by 12-18 inches. When the seedlings reach 2-3 inches in height, thin or transplant them so they are 10-12 inches apart.

Container planting lets you place parley on patios or grow it indoors year-round. Use pots that have good drainage and are at least a foot deep. Other than planting in potting soil, growing conditions should be the same as in-ground plants.

Fertile soil and regular feeding are necessary for parsley plants. Add a balanced fertilizer during initial planting, then do so again once or twice during the growing season as needed. Aged manure and compost are excellent organic fertilizers. For potted parsley, apply half-strength liquid fertilizer every 3-4 weeks for outdoor plants and 4-6 weeks for indoor plants. Do regular soil testing to see if you should increase or reduce feeding.

Winterization will allow parsley to bloom and go to seed the following spring for future plants. Add a three-inch thick layer of organic mulch around the plant base before the first fall frost. Row covers or frost blankets will provide more insulation. Bring container plants indoors; you can also transplant in-ground parley to pots for indoor wintering.

The best pruning for parsley plants is to harvest regularly. This encourages new growth and a bushy shape; it also reduces the likelihood of early bolting. You can also prune outer stems at the base for further shaping.

Parsley is ready to harvest when the plants are at least six inches tall with fully-formed leaves, which typically takes 60-90 days. Snip or pinch off the outer leaves at the base. You can technically harvest second-year parsley leaves, but they will taste bitter.