When to Plant Parsley in Melbourne, Cool Temperate Guide

Sow year round in Melbourne. That includes right now, in September.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Parsley guide is written for the Cool Temperate zone, which takes in Melbourne, Hobart and Geelong. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Canberra Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Parsley

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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. Slow to germinate but worth the wait.

Planting Calendar for Cool Temperate

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

You can sow parsley in any month in Cool Temperate, but the months are not equal. Growth slows right down through the coldest part of winter, so a June sowing takes considerably longer to reach harvest than a spring one.

Want a nudge when it is Parsley sowing time in Melbourne?

One email a week with what is worth planting in the Cool Temperate zone right now, Parsley included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.

Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 13.1°C (optimal range: 10–25°C) ✓ Ready to plant

Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Melbourne), not a live sensor.

How to Grow Parsley in Cool Temperate Australia

When to Plant

Sow Sep-Dec.

Soil
Rich, moist, well-drained soil with plenty of compost. Heavier feeder than most herbs.
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.

Companion plants: Tomato, Asparagus, Rose, Chives

Avoid planting near: Lettuce, Mint

Cool Temperate Growing Tips for Parsley

Recommended Varieties

  • Italian flat-leaf
  • Curly

Key Challenges

  • Very slow germination in cold
  • Winter hardiness varies

Pro Tips

  • Start in seed trays
  • Established plants tolerate light frost

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.

Common Parsley Pests in Cool Temperate Zones

Aphids, risk: MODERATE (score: 51/100)

Organic prevention: Plant more than you need.

View all pest alerts →

Where to next

What parsley costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the cool temperate zone this September: Ginger, Sweet Corn, Chilli Peppers and Snow Peas.

Get the Full Interactive Guide

Track your garden, get real-time pest alerts, and plan around your zone's weather.

Open the planting dashboard Join Garden Buddy

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:

Does parsley grow all year round in Melbourne?

Yes, every month is on the calendar for the Cool Temperate zone, though not every month is equally easy.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page 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 Cool Temperate zone, Melbourne is its reference city.