When to Plant Parsley in Sydney, Warm Temperate Guide
Soil temperature is modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Sydney), not a live sensor.
What this month normally looks like in Warm Temperate
In October the Warm Temperate zone normally runs 24°C by day and 13°C overnight, with about 66 mm of rain over 7 or 8 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -1.5°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 153 postcodes, SILO.
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This Parsley guide is written for the Warm Temperate zone, which takes in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- All year
- 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 Warm Temperate
- Jan S/T/D
- Feb S/T/D
- Mar S/T/D
- Apr S/T/D
- May S/T/D
- Jun S/T/D
- Jul S/T/D
- Aug S/T/D
- Sep S/T/D
- Oct S/T/D
- Nov S/T/D
- Dec S/T/D
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
You can sow parsley in any month in Warm Temperate, but the months are not equal. Summer heat brings faster bolting and heavier pest pressure, so pick a heat tolerant variety, sow little and often, and give afternoon shade from December through February.
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How to Grow Parsley in Warm Temperate 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
Warm Temperate Growing Tips for Parsley
Recommended Varieties
- Italian flat-leaf
- Curly
- Triple Curled
- Hamburg
Key Challenges
- Slow germination in cold soil
Pro Tips
- Soak seed before sowing
- One of the best zones for parsley
Pests and problems for Parsley in Warm Temperate
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.
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 Sydney?
Yes, every month is on the calendar for the Warm Temperate zone, though not every month is equally easy. Sow most of the year; best March to May and August to October. Avoid sowing in midwinter and the hottest weeks, when it may bolt.
When should I plant Parsley in Sydney?
Sow most of the year; best March to May and August to October. Avoid sowing in midwinter and the hottest weeks, when it may bolt.
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 Sydney?
Recommended varieties for the Warm Temperate zone include: Italian flat-leaf, Curly, Triple Curled, Hamburg.
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 Warm Temperate zone, Sydney is its reference city.