When to Plant Parsley in Alice Springs, Arid / Semi-Arid Guide
Soil temperature is modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Alice Springs), not a live sensor.
What this month normally looks like in Arid / Semi-Arid
In October the Arid / Semi-Arid zone normally runs 32°C by day and 16°C overnight, with about 19 mm of rain over 2 or 3 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was 1.9°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 10 postcodes, SILO.
Jump to section
This Parsley guide is written for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, which takes in Alice Springs, Broken Hill and Port Augusta. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Feb to Jun, Aug to Sep
- Days to harvest
- about 10 weeks
- Sun
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Regular
- Spacing
- 20 cm apart
- Soil pH
- 6.0–7.0
The workhorse herb of the Australian kitchen garden. Flat-leaf (Italian) has stronger flavour; curly-leaf is milder with better garnish qualities. Biennial. Widely adapted across all zones.
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Planting Calendar for Arid / Semi-Arid
- Jan -
- Feb S
- Mar S/T/D
- Apr S/T/D
- May T/D
- Jun T
- Jul -
- Aug S/D
- Sep T/D
- Oct -
- Nov -
- Dec -
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
Want a nudge when it is sowing time?
One email a week with what is worth planting in the Arid / Semi-Arid zone right now, Parsley included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.
How to Grow Parsley in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia
- Soil
- Rich, moist, well-drained soil with plenty of compost. Heavier feeder than most herbs.
- Salt
- Moderately sensitive. Copes with a little salt, but the harvest drops on salty bore water.
- pH Range
- 6.0-7.0
- Sunlight
- Full sun to part shade. Part shade in hot zones extends life.
- Spacing
- 20cm apart, 30cm between rows
- Watering
- Regular, consistent. More moisture-demanding than Mediterranean herbs.
- Good companions
- Tomato, Carrot, Chives, Dill, Cabbage
- Keep away from
- Lettuce (competes for same nutrients), Mint
Arid / Semi-Arid Growing Tips for Parsley
Recommended Varieties
- Italian flat-leaf
Key Challenges
- Heat causes bolting
- Needs consistent moisture
Pro Tips
- Afternoon shade essential
- Mulch heavily
- Drip irrigation
Pests and problems for Parsley in Arid / Semi-Arid
Harvesting Parsley
When ready: Begin harvesting outer stems when plant has 8+ stems.
How to harvest: Cut outer stems at base, leaving inner growing point. Never strip more than 1/3.
Storing and preserving parsley
How to keep it
- Freezing (best method). Chop finely, freeze in ice cube trays with water or oil. Retains colour and flavour well. Keeps: 6-9 months.
- Drying. Hang bunches or dehydrate at 35C. Colour and flavour diminish significantly. Keeps: 12 months.
- Chimichurri. Blend 2 cups parsley, olive oil, garlic, red wine vinegar, chilli flakes. Freeze portions. Keeps: 6 months frozen.
- Gremolata. Chopped parsley + lemon zest + garlic. Freeze small portions. Keeps: 3 months frozen.
What parsley costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.
What members get
- Soil and weather from your nearest station
- An email when it's time to sow
- Your own garden plan, including planning from a photo
- Price history and price alerts
- Pest risk alerts for your area
- Full salt and canning detail
Common Questions About Parsley
When do you plant parsley in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Mar to Jul
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Feb to Oct
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): all year
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Jan to Apr, Aug to Dec
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Jan to Apr, Aug to Dec
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Feb to Jun, Aug to Sep
- Mediterranean (Perth): Feb to May, Aug to Oct
Can you grow parsley all year round in Alice Springs?
No. In the Arid / Semi-Arid zone the planting months are Feb to Jun, Aug to Sep. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.
When should I plant Parsley in Alice Springs?
Sow in autumn and again in late winter to early spring. Give afternoon shade once the weather heats up.
What soil temperature do Parsley need?
Parsley germinate best when soil temperature is between 10°C and 25°C.
How do I know when Parsley are ready to harvest?
Begin harvesting outer stems when plant has 8+ stems.
What are the best Parsley varieties for Alice Springs?
Recommended varieties for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone include: Italian flat-leaf.
What grows well with Parsley?
Good companion plants for Parsley include: Tomato, Carrot, Chives, Dill, Cabbage.
Are parsley salt tolerant?
Only a little. Parsley are moderately sensitive to salt, so the harvest drops on salty bore water. Mix salty water with rainwater, and mulch the bed.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box near the top of the page and it tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, Alice Springs is its reference city.