How Often Do You Fertilize Parsley?
Parsley, which thrives when grown both in the ground as well as in containers, ranks as one of the most common herbs grown by backyard gardeners. This herb grows best in fertile conditions. To support healthy herb growth and foliage development, as well as make it more resistant to disease, feed your parsley at the time of planting and adjust the fertilizer schedule depending on whether your parsley is in the ground or in a pot.
At Planting: Organic Matter
Stir a couple inches of organic matter, such as well-rotted manure or aged compost, into the soil before planting your parsley. While parsley can survive in dirt that's low in organic material, it will grow better in soil amended with organic matter. This fertilizes the soil with nutrients such as nitrogen, while also improving soil moisture retention. The latter is especially helpful for keeping parsley's shallow root system hydrated.
After Germination/Transplanting: Mulching
Once the parsley plant is several inches tall, the addition of mulch serves several purposes. First, it fertilizes the parsley as the mulch decomposes, adding micronutrients to the underlying level of soil. Second, it helps keep soil cool, which is ideal for parsley and similar herbs that have shallow roots. Third, it blocks out weeds that would otherwise fight with the parsley for soil nutrients. Finally, it locks moisture in the dirt. For parsley, use hay, straw or chopped up leaves as mulch.
Fertilization Schedule for Parsley Grown in the Ground
Parsley grown outdoors directly in the soil benefits most from a single fertilizer application halfway through the growing season anytime in the summer when the herb's foliage development is at its highest. The extra boost of nutrients helps support leaf growth. Apply a 5-10-5 vegetable garden fertilizer, using 1.5 ounces of fertilizer for every 5 feet of the garden bed. Spread the fertilizer in a strip a few inches away from the row of parsley, and immediately water to help carry the fertilizer's nutrients to the parsley's roots.
Fertilizer Schedule for Parsley Grow in Containers
Because parsley in container gardens live in a smaller soil region, gardeners must supplement the soil's nutrient levels more often compared to parsley grown directly in the ground. For parsley grown in a pot indoors, fertilizer should be applied once every six weeks. For parsley grown in a pot outdoors, fertilizer applications should get upped to once every four weeks. For the best results, the University of Minnesota Extension recommends using any liquid vegetable fertilizer, applying at a rate that's half as strong as the manufacturer's recommended dosage.
Joshua Duvauchelle is a certified personal trainer and health journalist, relationships expert and gardening specialist. His articles and advice have appeared in dozens of magazines, including exercise workouts in Shape, relationship guides for Alive and lifestyle tips for Lifehacker. In his spare time, he enjoys yoga and urban patio gardening.