Wintering Over Parsley in Zone 5
Answered by: Inge Poot
Question from: Mary D.
Posted on: December 10, 2006

MY FRIEND HAS A PARSLEY PLANT IN HER GARDEN & SHE WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE IT THERE TO WINTER OVER. SOME SOURCES SAID TO PUT A CLOCHE OVER THE BUSH, OTHER SOURCES SAID JUST BRING IT INSIDE. SHE’D REALLY LIKE TO LET IT STAY IN THE GARDEN.

The trick is to not let the plant freeze over the winter. If it freezes, then the plant just bolts to flower and seed in the spring. If you can prevent freezing, then the plant will continue to produce leaves in the spring for a while, but eventually it will somehow realize it has been fooled and go to seed anyway. After seeding it dies. However, lengthening the leaf producing season until summer, gives you enough time to grow a replacement plant to take over the leaf production. It is very hard to prevent freezing in zone 5! You can try with a cloche and over that a thick mulch. Good luck and pray for a mild winter!

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