When to Plant Parsley in Canberra, Cold / Highland Guide
Soil temperature is modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Canberra), not a live sensor.
What this month normally looks like in Cold / Highland
In October the Cold / Highland zone normally runs 20°C by day and 7°C overnight, with about 58 mm of rain over 7 or 8 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -6.4°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 15 postcodes, SILO.
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This Parsley guide is written for the Cold / Highland zone, which takes in Canberra, Cooma and Bright. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Alice Springs Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Aug to Apr
- 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 Cold / Highland
- Jan S/T/D
- Feb S/T/D
- Mar S/T/D
- Apr S/T/D
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug S
- Sep S/T/D
- Oct S/T/D
- Nov S/T/D
- Dec S/T/D
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
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How to Grow Parsley in Cold / Highland 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
Cold / Highland Growing Tips for Parsley
Recommended Varieties
- Curly parsley (slightly hardier)
Key Challenges
- Cold soil
- Frost damage
Pro Tips
- Start indoors
- Cover with fleece for frost
- Can overwinter under thick mulch
Pests and problems for Parsley in Cold / Highland
Organic prevention (Aphids): Healthy, well-fed plants resist damage.
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.
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- Soil and weather from your nearest station
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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 Canberra?
No. In the Cold / Highland zone the planting months are Jan to Apr, Aug to Dec. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.
When should I plant Parsley in Canberra?
Sow from September to April, or start in trays from August.
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 Canberra?
Recommended varieties for the Cold / Highland zone include: Curly parsley (slightly hardier).
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 Cold / Highland zone, Canberra is its reference city.