How does parsley grow and is it possible to accelerate germination?

Parsley is used both fresh and dried. Therefore, almost all gardeners grow it on their site. At the same time, not every person knows how to accelerate the germination of this plant in order to get a harvest early.

First you need to understand what exactly affects the growth of parsley. It is worth paying attention to the following factors.

These plants are not afraid of the cold. But before sowing parsley, the gardener should still wait for the temperature to rise. After all, the lower it is, the longer a person will have to wait for the first shoots to appear. The optimum temperature for good growth of green parsley is 18-20 degrees Celsius.

It's also worth noting that parsley loves light. Therefore, it is recommended to plant it in well-lit areas. If this is not possible, the beds with greenery should be located at least in partial shade.

Another important factor affecting seed germination is soil. The soil should be light and fertile, and the acidity level should not be too high. In autumn, the soil can be deoxidized using wood ash. It will also help make the earth more nutritious and rich in nutrients.

Parsley seeds are protected by a dense shell. It is very difficult for young sprouts to break through it. In addition, this shell is covered with essential oils that prevent moisture from entering the grain. For this reason, if the seeds are not treated before planting, parsley will germinate many times longer.

It is also very important for the gardener to choose high-quality planting material. It is worth remembering that the fresher it is, the higher the germination rate of parsley will be. Seeds harvested more than two years ago should not be sown.

It is also important to pay attention to the characteristics of the variety. First of all, such varieties of parsley as "Astra", "Giant" and "Festival" emerge on the site. The latest - "Bogatyr" and "Alba". When buying parsley seeds, you should also pay attention to their class. It is always indicated on the packaging. The higher the class, the better the parsley grows.

The germination rate of parsley also largely depends on how well it is looked after after planting.

Immediately after sowing, the seed beds must be watered. In this case, it is important not to flood the ground. This will only slow down the germination process. It is recommended to cover the watered beds with glass or transparent film. In such conditions, the first green shoots appear much faster. After the appearance of greenery on the site, the shelter must be removed.

So that a dense crust does not form on the site, which interferes with the appearance of green shoots, the beds must be regularly loosened. You can save time by mulching the beds. Dry grass, peat, sawdust or straw can be used as mulch.

On average, parsley emerges about 16-20 days after sowing. This happens when the gardener sows dry and unprepared seeds. In order not to wait too long, the seeds must be prepared. In this case, the emergence of seedlings can be expected in 10-12 days.

You can increase the germination of parsley by first studying the features of growing greens, as well as by properly preparing the seeds.

The gardener should adhere to the following rules.

• Observe the crop rotation. The germination of seeds is greatly influenced by the observance of the rules of crop rotation. For seedlings to appear quickly, parsley should not be planted after related crops. That is, after plants such as dill, cilantro and carrots. The best precursors for green parsley are tomatoes, legumes, and garlic. You can sow greens both in individual beds and next to rows of cucumbers, radishes, peas or tomatoes. These plants get along well with each other.

• Soak seeds before planting. To do this, they are wrapped in gauze or a thin cloth, and then placed in a container with warm water. In this form, the planting material is left for a day. During this time, it is advisable to change the water in the container several times. You can also use melted snow instead of regular water. It should be remembered, however, that soaking weakens the seed's natural defenses. Therefore, in the event of recurrent frosts, the seeds may well die.

• Process the planting material with stimulants. To increase the germination of seeds, after soaking, they can be placed in a container with a growth stimulant solution. Instead, some gardeners also use universal fertilizers. A tablespoon of the product is diluted in a liter of clean water. After that, the planting material is immersed in the container for 10-20 minutes. Home remedies can also be used in place of store-bought products. The most popular option is vodka. This product helps to wash away the layer of essential oils from the seeds. Therefore, the seeds germinate much faster. You need to soak the planting material in vodka for only 20 minutes. You can also use warm milk, alcohol, or cognac instead.

• Vernalize grains. In cold regions, in order for the parsley to rise quickly, it is recommended to additionally harden it. This process consists of several main stages. Soaked seeds, on which the first sprouts have already appeared, should be placed in a dense cloth bag a few days before planting in the soil and buried in unheated soil. Seeds prepared in this way are more resistant to temperature extremes. Seedlings after vernalization appear 4-5 days earlier.

• Form the wells correctly. The row spacing when planting parsley should be within 20 centimeters. The sowing depth depends on the soil conditions. In light soil, seeds are sown by 2.5 centimeters, in heavy soil - by 1. Before making a hole in the area, the soil in the garden must be loosened well.

• Use fertilizers. Nitrogen fertilizers will help speed up the process of parsley appearance on the site. Leafy varieties can be fed with ammonium nitrate.

In general, parsley is a rather unpretentious plant. Therefore, no significant problems with its cultivation usually arise.