What Kind of Fertilizer for Parsley?

Soil Quality

• The soil naturally provides for some of the parsley plant's nutrition needs. Well-drained beds rich in organic matter contain trace nutrients. Working compost into the soil before planting improves drainage and soil quality while adding some nutrients. The base nutrient level in the soil differs by location. Perform a soil test on the bed before planting to determine how fertile the bed is. The test indicates if the soil lacks an important nutrient, such as nitrogen, so the fertilizer choice can be adjusted appropriately. The test also indicates the soil pH range. Parsley requires a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.

Garden Plants

• Garden-grown parsley needs a slow-release fertilizer. These fertilizers leach their nutrients gradually into the soil as they break down over a period of weeks. If a soil test is not performed, apply a 5-10-5 fertilizer blend on the parsley plants. Otherwise, follow the test recommendations for the fertilizer blend. An application of 3 oz. per every 10 foot row at planting provides enough nutrients for eight to 10 weeks. Make a second application two to three months after the first to replenish the nutrients in the bed.

Container Plants

• Slow-release fertilizers wash out of the pots and provide only a minimal benefit. Employ a soluble fertilizer more frequently instead. Most standard potting soils provide for the proper soil pH, and testing isn't necessary. Apply a soluble 5-10-5 blend once monthly at the rate recommended on the package. Soluble fertilizers are diluted in water and applied at irrigation. The package indicates how much fertilizer to dilute in 1 gallon of water for the pot size.

Application Tips

• Slow-release fertilizers burn parsley leaves and roots if they come in direct contact. Make the first application in the bed before planting the parsley. Work the second fertilizer application into the soil 6 inches from the plant and water thoroughly afterward. This process is called side-dressing the plants. The water dilutes the fertilizer so that it doesn't cause burning by the time it reaches the plant. Rinsing the leaves of garden and container-grown parsley after each fertilizer application also ensures that no fertilizer remains on the foliage to cause burning.