Petroselinum crispum. According to Culpeper's Herbal, Parsley is an herb of Mercury; it comforts the stomach and just generally cures what ails you! Indeed, Parsley is considered highly cleansing and refreshing to the digestive system. This vital, ubiquitous herb is indispensable for brightening soups, salads and pastas. Parsley is best raised as transplants sown indoors 6 to 8 weeks prior to setting out after the last spring frost date. (If Parsley re-seeds in our gardens, we leave them and consider ourselves lucky!) Grow Parsley in pots near the kitchen for quick snipping. Vitamin A, C and iron-rich Parsley tolerates some shade; it loves rich, moist soil and regularly survives frost, dying back and re-emerging the following spring. Harvest by snipping leaves and stems as needed. Allow a few of these Umbelliferae family members to flower since the fragrant umbels attract desirable pollinating insects to your garden. Biennial.
Average seed life: 2 years.