How to Care for Parsley

Grow the parsley in a location that receives full sunlight or partial shade. Parsley thrives best in moist rich soil.

Sow parsley seeds indoors or outdoors up to three weeks before the last frost date, according to the National Gardening Association. Parsley plants take a while to germinate, as long as five weeks. Once plants are established, space them about 10 inches apart.

Water the parsley plants with 1 inch of water a week, including rainfall. Water the herbs more often in dry weather and less often if a rainfall occurs.

Add a 1- to 2-inch layer of organic mulch around the parsley plants to retain moisture in the soil and keep weeds away.

Apply a 5-10-5 fertilizer to the parsley in the spring and in the middle of summer to keep the plants healthy. Follow the fertilizer package instructions for application. Use fertilizer at half strength for parsley grown in containers and fertilize the plants once a month.

Cut the desired amount of leaves off the outside of the parsley plant. Store the parsley stalks in a glass of water inside the refrigerator to keep the herb fresh.