Parsley, seeded 11 days ago, began popping up over the last couple of days, so that’s the second crop of the season, underway. Four varieties this year, two each of flat-leaf (Plain Dark Green Italian, Hilmar) and curly (Forest Green, Green Pearl). They’re 18 cells per variety, in a 72-cell plug sheet, around 4-6 seeds per cell—I’ll eventually thin them down to two. They’ve already started to stretch because they’re sharing a light rack shelf where the lights are set higher to accommodate a tray of onions. Parsley is easy to start, I’ve had no problem with transplants, but my seedlings have always tended to stretch and tangle in the trays before transplant time. Last year, I snipped them back quite a bit so they wouldn’t tie themselves to each other. They seem to like their light strong. These are just early season details that I won’t be much concerned with a little later on, but I’ll see what I can do. I’m gonna hang lights on another shelf for them right now!
I use 1″ and 2″ flat foam insulation sheets cut to the size of my plug trays to raise the plug tray up close to the lights and then lower as the plants grow. This way faster growing plants can be lowered while slower growing plants stay up close to the bulbs and remain under the same light.
Ain’t growing season fun!
How exciting. I just got my parsley seeds in the mail yesterday. I need to get them into the flats to sprout.
I have heard to blow on the seedlings, or brush your hand across them to act as the wind. It strengthens them. Just thought I would pass this along… maybe you already know.
Congrats on #2 :-)
Question: would you treat cilantro like parsley for planting times/care? I love cilantro, but haven’t been able to find much info. Since some people sub the 2 when cooking, I wonder if it goes for growing too?
Mine is up too…along with lettuce, kale, broccoli, corn salad, arugula and just today tomatoes. I am trying my hand at early tomatoes. I know they will need much pampering but they are the one crop that I feel is worth it. Kim