How to Grow Parsley in a Greenhouse: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners from A to Z

Have you ever wondered why fresh parsley is so expensive in winter? Or maybe you are tired of your attempts to grow greens on your windowsill ending up with a couple of wilted leaves? What if I told you that you can grow fragrant, juicy parsley right at home, in a greenhouse, and even all year round? Yes, this is not a fantasy, but a very real opportunity that is available to anyone who is ready to understand the process a little. Today I will tell you everything you need to know about growing parsley in a greenhouse: when to plant, how to care for it, and what mistakes you may encounter. This article is for those who are just starting out in gardening, and I promise to “chew” each step so that you not only understand, but also want to try. Ready? Then let's get started!
Why did you decide to grow parsley in a greenhouse?
Before we dive into the details, let's figure out why you need it. Maybe you want fresh greens for the table even in frosty January? Or dream of saving on buying greens, which in supermarkets in winter are like a delicacy? Or maybe you are just tired of failures with open ground, where rain, frost, or pests ruin all plans? You are not alone! Many people face these problems, and a greenhouse becomes a real salvation. It protects plants from the vagaries of the weather, allows you to control the conditions and even turn growing into a small business. But how to avoid mistakes and get that lush harvest? Let's figure it out together.
What is greenhouse parsley cultivation and what are its advantages?
Parsley is an unpretentious crop, but in open ground it depends on the season. In thosepface you become the master of the situation: you decide when to sow, how to water and what temperature to maintain. Imagine: there is a snowstorm outside, and on your table there are fresh greens grown with your own hands. Sounds tempting, right?
Here are some reasons why a greenhouse is your best choice:
- Year-round harvest. No need to wait for spring - parsley can be grown even in winter.
- Protection from external factors. No frost, hail or voracious insects.
- Savings. Invest in a greenhouse once and forget about expensive bunches of greenery from the store.
- Control. You regulate light, water and heat yourself, which means the result depends only on you.
Ukrainian greenhouse manufacturer, offers robust designs that are ideal for such tasks. Our polycarbonate greenhouses They can withstand snow loads, retain heat and are easy to install – just what a beginner needs.
What kind of parsley should you choose for a greenhouse?
Did you know that parsley comes in different varieties? And it's not just about taste! There are two main types: leafy (for greens) and root (for root vegetables and forcing greens). Leafy is also divided into smooth and curly - the first is more aromatic, the second is more beautiful and denser. Which type to choose? Depends on your goals:
- Want lots of greens for salads and soups? Go for leafy greens.
- Dreaming of root vegetables for broths plus some greens? Then root.
And now the varieties. Those that are resistant to diseases and give a good harvest in closed ground are suitable for greenhouses. Here are some proven options:
- “Bogatyr” (leafy) – fragrant, grows quickly after cutting.
- “Gloria” (leafy) – early, productive, ideal for beginners.
- “Sugar” (root) - tasty root vegetables and decent greens.
A beginner's mistake: buying seeds "that are cheaper" without taking into account the greenhouse conditions. The result is weak shoots or an empty bed. Buy seeds in trusted stores and read the description on the package.
When to plant parsley in a greenhouse?
“When to start?” you ask. Good news: in a greenhouse, the planting time depends only on your capabilities. There are two main ways of growing: from seeds and forcing from root crops. Let's look at each.
1. Sowing seeds
- Spring: March to May – classic for those who want an early harvest.
- Autumn: October-November - for winter growth in a heated greenhouse.
- Winter: from the end of January - if there is heating and electricity.
Why not earlier than January in winter? Without heating, the parsley will simply freeze. Heating can be installed in NovaTeplica greenhouses - they are designed for any climatic conditions in Ukraine, from Odessa to Kharkov.
2. Distillation from root crops
- When: from autumn (September-October) or winter.
- How: dig up the roots from the garden, plant them in a greenhouse, and after a month, harvest the greens.
This method is three times faster than from seeds, and is ideal for winter. But more on that later.
How to prepare a greenhouse and soil?
Imagine: you bought the seeds, chose the time, and the parsley doesn't grow. Why? Most likely, you forgot to prepare the greenhouse and soil. It's like building a house without a foundation - nothing good will come of it.
Preparing the greenhouse
- Washing and disinfection. In the fall or before planting, wash the walls of the greenhouse with soap and water to remove dirt and fungal spores. You can wipe with a solution of potassium permanganate.
- Checking the ventilation. Parsley does not like dampness - ventilation is essential.
- Lighting: In winter, daylight hours are short, so consider lamps (daylight or phytolamps).
Greenhouses from NovaTeplica have convenient vents for ventilation and a durable frame that can withstand even additional equipment.
Soil preparation
Parsley likes loose, moderately fertile soil. What to do:
- Ingredients: mix turf soil, humus and sand (2:1:1). Or take loam.
- Fertilizers: add superphosphate (20 g/m²) and potassium salt (15 g/m²). Fresh manure is taboo, it will “burn” the roots.
- Acidity: pH 6.5–7. If the soil is acidic, add ash or lime.
A beginner's mistake: filling it with heavy clay soil. The parsley will suffocate in it, and the roots will become twisted.
How to plant parsley correctly?
Now the most interesting part - landing. There are two ways, and I will explain both.
Sowing seeds
- Preparing the seeds. They are difficult to germinate because of the essential oils. Soak them in warm water for a day (change the water twice), then dry until they are loose. To speed things up, add a growth stimulator (for example, “Epin”).
- Planting pattern. Make furrows 1–2 cm deep, with a distance of 20 cm between them. Sow seeds at intervals of 5 cm.
- Watering. Water the furrows with warm water, fill with soil and compact slightly.
In 15-20 days, seedlings will appear. If they do not appear, the seeds may be old or you have over-watered the soil.
Distillation from root crops
- Selecting roots. Take root vegetables 5–8 cm long and 0.5–1 cm thick. Cut off the tops, leaving 1 cm.
- Planting. Place the roots in furrows (depth 15 cm, distance 10 cm) at an angle of 45°, cover with soil, leaving the head open.
- Watering. Moderately, so they don’t rot.
In 25-30 days – the first greens. Fast, right?
How to care for parsley in a greenhouse?
Planted? Great! But it's too early to relax - without care the harvest will be meager. Here's what you need to do.
Temperature
- Before emergence: +18–20 °C.
- After germination: +12–15 °C. Above +20 °C — leaves turn yellow, below +10 °C — growth slows down.
NovaTeplica greenhouses are easy to maintain heat thanks to highly insulated polycarbonate.
Watering
- Water when the top layer of soil dries out (1-2 times a week).
- Don't overwater - parsley doesn't like swamps.
Lighting
- In winter, add light (10-12 hours a day). Without it, the greenery will stretch out and turn pale.
Top dressing
- For foliage: 2 times per season with nitrogen (10 g urea/m²).
- For roots: in spring – complex fertilizer, in summer – potassium and phosphorus.
Ventilation
- Keep humidity at 70%. Too damp? Open the windows.
Mistake: forgetting about weeding and loosening. Weeds and crust on the soil are the enemies of parsley.
When and how to harvest?
The first harvest of leaf parsley is 60-75 days after germination, root parsley - 3-4 months later. Cut the leaves when they reach 20-25 cm, leaving 5 cm petioles - this way the greenery will grow again. Dig up the root crops in the fall, in dry weather.
What mistakes do beginners make and how to avoid them?
- A damp greenhouse. Without ventilation - mold and rot. Solution: open the vents more often.
- Not enough light. In winter without lamps - pale leaves. Solution: add lighting.
- Dense planting. Seedlings choke each other. Solution: thin out, leaving 5-7 cm between plants.
- Overfeeding. Too much nitrogen - nitrates in greens. Solution: observe the dosage.
Why choose greenhouses from NovaTeplica?
If you are just starting out, a greenhouse is your main assistant. NovaTeplica offers models for any needs: from compact 3x6 m to farm-sized 16.8 m² and larger. Polycarbonate with a 10-15 year warranty, a durable frame and the ability to install heating - everything so that your parsley grows like in the picture. And they also deliver all over Ukraine - from Kyiv to Lviv.
Conclusion: Your first harvest is almost here!
Growing parsley in a greenhouse is not difficult if you know what to do. Choose a variety, prepare the soil, set up the conditions - and in a couple of months enjoy fresh greens. Do not be afraid of mistakes: every failure is a step towards experience. Start small, and then, look, you will organize a business on greens. Ready to try? Then go ahead - to your greenhouse and the first harvest! And if you have any questions, write in the comments - we will figure it out together. Good luck to you and lush parsley all year round!