How to Grow Hamburg Parsley in Australia
A cool-season root crop for the home garden
Growing your own Hamburg Parsley is one of the more satisfying things you can do in an Australian backyard. It is rated intermediate to grow. Two crops in one plant. Root vegetable plus unlimited parsley tops.
This guide covers when to plant Hamburg Parsley in your region, the position and soil it likes, how to sow and space it, day-to-day care, the pests and diseases to watch, and how to harvest and store your crop.
When to Plant in Your Region
Hamburg Parsley is a cool-season crop, fully frost-hardy. In subtropical South-East Queensland it is sown in March, April, May and June. Timing shifts with your climate, so choose your region below for a local calendar.
Varieties to Try
Hamburg Half Long
Standard root parsley. Thick conical root 15-20cm long. Parsley-flavoured tops.
Try: Eden Seeds, Mr Fothergill's
Position and Soil
Give Hamburg Parsley full sun (at least 6 hours a day). It does best in free-draining soil with a pH around 6 to 7. Dig through plenty of compost before planting, and mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down. It can be container-grown in 30cm+ deep, though it is happier in the ground.
Sowing and Spacing
Sow seed about 1 cm deep. Thin or space plants to about 15 cm apart. Seedlings usually appear in around 14 days, fastest when the soil is between 10 and 20 degrees.
Petroselinum crispum var. tuberosum. Root parsley grown for its thick parsnip-shaped root with parsley-celery flavour. Tops are edible as flat-leaf parsley. Two crops in one plant. Popular in Eastern European cooking. Direct sow (slow to germinate, be patient).
Care
Water consistently, roughly 4 L per plant every 2 days in warm weather, less in cool or wet spells. Feed every few weeks through the growing season with a balanced organic fertiliser, and keep mulch topped up.
Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for Carrot fly. The main diseases to watch are Leaf spot. Good spacing, watering at the base rather than over the leaves, and crop rotation prevent most problems. See our Pest and Disease Guide to identify and fix any issue.
Harvesting and Storage
Hamburg Parsley is typically ready to harvest in around 120 days (about 4 months). Cool dark place for weeks. Fridge wrapped for 2-3 weeks.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, hamburg parsley is good roots added to soups and stews, roasted with other root vegetables, mashed as a flavoured side and tops used as flat-leaf parsley. Nutritionally: high in vitamin C and iron and rich in folate.
Companion Planting
Hamburg Parsley grows well alongside Tomato and Asparagus. Keep it away from Lettuce. Our Companion Planting Guide has the full pairings.
Track Your Hamburg Parsley Growing
Add hamburg parsley to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for planting, care and harvest, tuned to your region.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Hamburg Parsley in Australia?
Hamburg Parsley is a cool-season crop. In subtropical regions like South-East Queensland it is sown in March, April, May and June. Timing changes with your climate, so use the calendar above for your region.
How long does Hamburg Parsley take to grow?
Hamburg Parsley is generally ready to harvest in around 120 days (about 4 months).
How much sun does Hamburg Parsley need?
Give it full sun (at least 6 hours a day) for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Hamburg Parsley in the Plant Library
