When to Plant Parsley in Sydney, Warm Temperate Guide

Sow year round in Sydney. That includes right now, in October.

Planting window
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.
Days to harvest
about 10 weeks
Sunlight
Full sun to part shade. Part shade in hot zones extends life.
Water needs
Regular, consistent. More moisture-demanding than Mediterranean herbs.
Spacing
20cm apart, 30cm between rows
Soil pH
6.0-7.0

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

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.

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.

See what grows now in your own postcode

Planting Calendar for Warm 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 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.

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

One email a week with what is worth planting in the Warm 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: 18.5°C (optimal range: 10–25°C) ✓ Ready to plant

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

What this month normally looks like

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.

How to Grow Parsley in Warm Temperate Australia

When to Plant

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.

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

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

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 Warm Temperate Zones

Aphids, risk: MODERATE (score: 45/100)

Organic prevention (Aphids): Healthy, well-fed plants resist damage.

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 warm temperate zone this October: Lemongrass, Beetroot, Dwarf Beans (Bush) and Eggplant (Aubergine).

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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:

Does parsley grow 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.

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 Warm Temperate zone, Sydney is its reference city.