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Parsley

Petroselinum crispum
Also known as: Italian flat-leaf parsley, Garden parsley, Petersilie

Parsley is a herb in the Apiaceae family. It grows best in full sun to part shade with medium moisture, and is listed for USDA zones 2-13. Plants reach harvest about 58–99 days after planting and sit about 12 inches apart.

Varieties

17 from High Mowing, Seeds Now & True Leaf Market · sorted by days to maturity
  • Laica58–78 days

    Gigante d'Italia-type; Sweet flavor; Fast maturing; Excellent regrowth

    Resistance: IR: Septoria Leaf Spot

    Surprisingly sweet and tasty, Italian flat leaf parsley with excellent regrowth capacity. Our trials team was struck by its uniquely delicious flavor. Leaves are almost sweet with a mild nod to parsley's typical flavor, perfect for raw preparations. Very fast maturing, offering high yields and cut and come again growth. From the breeders at HILD. 15.4M seeds/oz.

    Growing notes: The herbs we offer in this section were chosen for their exceptional aroma, flavor, disease resistance and appeal. We offer tried-and-true standards, such as Genovese basil and Italian Flat Leaf parsley, alongside more modern varieties that have impressed us in our trials, like Aroma 2 F1 basil, resistant to fusarium wilt and slow to bolt, and Rutgers Devotion and Obsession basils with downy mildew resistance. Most herbs are compact and easy to grow, making them suitable for containers, greenhouses and small gardens.

    View on High Mowing
  • Evergreen60–80 days

    Can tolerate hot temperatures; Direct sow; Grows well with containers; Grows well with raised beds; Matures in <90 days; Super easy to grow

    Evergreen Parsley Seeds (100% Heirloom/Non-Hybrid/Non-GMO) Dark green curly parsley leaves. - Can withstand frost and cooler temps better than the other varieties. - Use this parsley for garnishing, and culinary decoration. Day to Maturity | 70 days Planting Guide | Sow directly in your garden and space seeds 7" apart. Seeds can take a while to sprout. Can take 3-4 weeks before seedlings appear. Plant will grow to about 10" tall in about 60 days. Additional Details Parsley is a commonly grown culinary and medicinal herb that is often used as a domestic medicine. The fresh leaves are highly nutritious and can be considered a natural vitamin and mineral supplement in their own right. The plants prime use is as a diuretic where it is effective in ridding the body of stones and in treating jaundice, dropsy, cystitis etc. It is also a good detoxifier, helping the body to get rid of toxins via the urine and therefore helping in the treatment of a wide range of diseases such as rheumatism Follow SeedsNow.com's board Parsley on Pinterest.

    View on Seeds Now
  • Giant Italian60–80 days

    Bunching; Vigorous

    Flat, large-leaved variety with aromatic leaves and excellent culinary quality. A high-yielding, very large and vigorous herb. Dependable variety with rapid regrowth that stands up well to frost. Dark green leaves on strong stems make beautiful bunches; delicious, classic flavor for seasoning. 12.5M seeds/oz. Unavailable in 2024

    Growing notes: The herbs we offer in this section were chosen for their exceptional aroma, flavor, disease resistance and appeal. We offer tried-and-true standards, such as Genovese basil and Italian Flat Leaf parsley, alongside more modern varieties that have impressed us in our trials, like Aroma 2 F1 basil, resistant to fusarium wilt and slow to bolt, and Rutgers Devotion and Obsession basils with downy mildew resistance. Most herbs are compact and easy to grow, making them suitable for containers, greenhouses and small gardens.

    View on Seeds Now
  • Hilmar60–80 days

    Gigante d'Italia-type; High yielding; Traditional flat leaf

    Italian flat leaf parsley with classically flavored, large, smooth leaves. High yielding with strong stems for efficient bunching in the field. Plants are robust and dark green with excellent vigor. Leaves are intensely aromatic and impart delicious flavor in dishes raw or cooked. From the breeders at HILD. 9.1M seeds/oz.

    Growing notes: The herbs we offer in this section were chosen for their exceptional aroma, flavor, disease resistance and appeal. We offer tried-and-true standards, such as Genovese basil and Italian Flat Leaf parsley, alongside more modern varieties that have impressed us in our trials, like Aroma 2 F1 basil, resistant to fusarium wilt and slow to bolt, and Rutgers Devotion and Obsession basils with downy mildew resistance. Most herbs are compact and easy to grow, making them suitable for containers, greenhouses and small gardens.

    View on High Mowing
  • Italian Flat Leaf60–80 days

    Processing and bunching

    Classic flat-leaf variety for use either fresh or dried for seasoning. Stems hold leaves upright for easy bunching. A very nutritious and tasty addition to meat and vegetable dishes. Excellent for freezing, drying and fresh eating. From Sakata Seed. 12.5M seeds/oz.

    Growing notes: The herbs we offer in this section were chosen for their exceptional aroma, flavor, disease resistance and appeal. We offer tried-and-true standards, such as Genovese basil and Italian Flat Leaf parsley, alongside more modern varieties that have impressed us in our trials, like Aroma 2 F1 basil, resistant to fusarium wilt and slow to bolt, and Rutgers Devotion and Obsession basils with downy mildew resistance. Most herbs are compact and easy to grow, making them suitable for containers, greenhouses and small gardens.

    View on High Mowing
  • Triple Moss Curled60–80 days

    Direct sow; Grows well with containers; Grows well with raised beds; Matures in <90 days; Start indoors; Super easy to grow

    Triple Moss Curled Parsley brings serious flavor and serious frills to your garden! This heirloom favorite flaunts gorgeous, deeply ruffled foliage that's almost too pretty to pick—almost. Packed with vibrant green leaves, it's a culinary superstar for soups, salads, and garnishes. Easy to grow and incredibly productive, this parsley variety keeps delivering fresh harvests throughout the season. Perfect for gardeners who want their herbs to look as good as they taste! The Triple Moss Curled Parsley plant grows to about 12" tall with high yields of very dark green curled leaves - Grows thickly and resembles a bunch of moss (hence the name) - Excellent for drying and use as a garnish - Extremely flavorful and aromatic Days to Maturity | 70 days Planting Guide | Sow directly in your garden and space seeds 7" apart. Seeds can take a while to sprout. Can take 3-4 weeks before seedlings appear. Plant will grow to about 10" tall in about 60 days. Follow SeedsNow.com's board Parsley on Pinterest.

    View on Seeds Now
  • Dark Green Italian Flat-leaf61–83 days

    Heirloom; Container; Annual

    Petroselinum crispum Annual. 72 days. Non-GMO, Heirloom Dark Green Italian Flat Leaf Parsley Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Petroselinum crispum. Italian Parsley plants are hardy biennials often grown as annuals. As Dark Green Italian Flat Leaf Parsley has been around for over 2,000 years, this warm season green is a variety that's used as a culinary herb more than its curly-leaf cousin. Italian Parsley such as Dark Green Flat Leaf is an essential to pair with fish, sprinkle fresh on tacos or add to soups and salads!

    View on True Leaf Market
  • Double Curled64–86 days

    Heirloom; Container; Annual

    75 Days to maturity. Petroselinum crispum. Double Curled Parsley Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Double Curled Parsley is a classic heirloom herb featuring lush, curly, deep-green foliage that brightens any garden or container. With its compact, frost-tolerant growth and enduring appeal, it's perfect for border plantings, garnishes, or continuous harvesting through cool seasons. It can also be grown as a microgreen. ~18,000 seeds/oz.

    View on True Leaf Market
  • Krausa Parsley64–86 days

    Uniform plants; Curled-leaf parsley

    Thick curls of deep green leaves on remarkably sweet stems. Beautiful curled-leaf parsley with delicious stems. These plants hold their color in the field without developing white or brown spots. Very cold tolerant and stands up well to summer heat. From our partners at Bejo Seeds. 20M seeds/oz

    Growing notes: The herbs we offer in this section were chosen for their exceptional aroma, flavor, disease resistance and appeal. We offer tried-and-true standards, such as Genovese basil and Italian Flat Leaf parsley, alongside more modern varieties that have impressed us in our trials, like Aroma 2 F1 basil, resistant to fusarium wilt and slow to bolt, and Rutgers Devotion and Obsession basils with downy mildew resistance. Most herbs are compact and easy to grow, making them suitable for containers, greenhouses and small gardens.

    View on High Mowing
  • Forest Green70–80 days

    Heirloom; Non-GMO; Container; Annual

    70-80 Days to maturity. Petroselinum crispum. Forest Green Parsley Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Forest Green Parsley features rich, tightly curled dark green foliage on upright, compact plants that stay clean and tidy. This heat- and drought-tolerant heirloom delivers mild, savory flavor and makes excellent bunching parsley for fresh or dried use. ~1,500 seeds/oz.

    View on True Leaf Market
  • Garden Blend70–99 days

    Heirloom; Non-GMO; Container; Annual

    70-99 Days to maturity. Petroselinum crispum. Garden Blend Parsley Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Garden Blend Parsley is the ultimate kitchen herb—with a flat leaf, a semi-curled leaf, and an extra curly leaf strain all in one packet! This versatile, open-pollinated variety offers a continuous, flavorful harvest in as little as 70–99 days, perfect for containers, garden beds, or cut-and-come-again harvesting. ~18,000 seeds/oz.

    View on True Leaf Market
  • Grune Perle70–90 days

    Curled-leaf parsley; Biennial

    Popular Eastern European, finely curled parsley with strong stems and vigorous growth habit. Exceptionally beautiful, tufts of deep green leaves make this parsley variety a stunning addition to the herb garden or market table. With a mild flavor and vigorous growth habit, this parsley is a perfect fit for both the commercial grower and home gardener. From our partners at Sativa Seeds. 20M seeds/oz.

    Growing notes: The herbs we offer in this section were chosen for their exceptional aroma, flavor, disease resistance and appeal. We offer tried-and-true standards, such as Genovese basil and Italian Flat Leaf parsley, alongside more modern varieties that have impressed us in our trials, like Aroma 2 F1 basil, resistant to fusarium wilt and slow to bolt, and Rutgers Devotion and Obsession basils with downy mildew resistance. Most herbs are compact and easy to grow, making them suitable for containers, greenhouses and small gardens.

    View on High Mowing
  • Italian Giant70–80 days

    Heirloom; Container; Annual

    70-80 Days to maturity. Petroselinum crispum. Italian Giant Parsley Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Italian Giant parsley brings bold, savory flavor and lush greenery to any kitchen or herb garden. With towering, deep-green flat leaves and sturdy stems, it delivers high yield and robust culinary performance—perfect for sauces, salads, and garnishes. ~18,000 seeds/oz.

    View on True Leaf Market
  • Italian Giant (Organic)70–80 days

    Heirloom; Annual; Container; Organic

    70-80 Days to maturity. Petroselinum crispum. Organic Italian Giant Parsley Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Italian Giant parsley brings bold, savory flavor and lush greenery to any kitchen or herb garden. With towering, deep-green flat leaves and sturdy stems, it delivers high yield and robust culinary performance—perfect for sauces, salads, and garnishes. ~18,000 seeds/oz.

    View on True Leaf Market
  • Moss Curled70–80 days

    Heirloom; Non-GMO; Container; Annual

    70-80 Days to maturity. Petroselinum crispum. Organic Moss Curled Parsley Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Moss Curled Parsley brings lush, moss-like curls of vibrant green to your herb garden and dinner plate—ideal for adding texture and a subtle, fresh flavor to your dishes. Its compact, ornamental form performs beautifully in containers or raised beds, thriving even in cooler weather. ~18,000 seeds/oz.

    View on True Leaf Market
  • Plain or Single70–80 days

    Heirloom; Organic; Non-GMO; Container; Annual

    70-80 Days to maturity. Petroselinum crispum. Organic Plain or Single Parsley Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Plain or Single Parsley is an essential culinary herb prized for its fresh, bright flavor and versatility in the kitchen. These seeds produce lush, leafy plants that thrive in both home gardens and containers. Perfect for adding vibrant taste to soups, salads, sauces, and more. ~18,000 seeds/oz.

    View on True Leaf Market
  • Hamburg Rooted85–90 days

    Heirloom; Non-GMO; Container; Annual

    Non-GMO, Heirloom Hamburg Rooted Parsley Herb Garden Seed from True Leaf Market. Petroselinum crispum. This parsley is harvested for its root as a culinary herb. Cool perennial Parsley such as Hamburg Rooted herbs are in fact so popular for its cream-colored root, that it's also considered a tender vegetable! As Hamburg Rooted Parsley also produces edible deep-green leaves, this variety is best enjoyed when its root is cooked to perfection similar to parsnips.

    View on True Leaf Market
Family
Apiaceae
Category
Herb
Form
Bush
Lifecycle
annual
Zone
2-13
Height
0.6666666666666666–2 ft
Spread
1–2 ft
Sun
Full sun to part shade

Plant spacing

1 plant per square footSquare-foot planting diagram: one parsley fills a 1-foot square, spaced 12 inches from its neighbors.
1 plant per square foot

In a square-foot bed, space parsley about 12 in apart — that fits 1 plant in each 1-foot square (1×1). Wider rows or containers space the same.

Water
Medium

Plan your parsley planting

Add parsley to a free GardenDraft plan and get sow, transplant, and harvest dates computed for your ZIP code — with a drag-and-drop bed layout and reminders when it’s time to plant.

Start your free plan →

At a glance

Days to harvest
58–99 days
From transplant or sow to first harvest
Harvest style
Keep picking
Crops over several weeks
After harvest
Use within days
Quality eases off after peak
Frost tolerance
Hardy · to ~15°F
Lowest temperature the foliage usually survives
Succession
Re-sow every 21 days
Sow again at this interval for a continuous harvest
Germination
~60%
Typical minimum germination rate

Storing & preserving

Refrigerate stems in water, or wrap in a damp towel for a few days.

  • Dry: Dehydrate or air-dry, then store airtight away from light.
  • Freeze: Freeze chopped in oil or water in ice-cube trays.

General home-preservation guidance — for tested processing times and safety, follow the National Center for Home Food Preservation.

Growing timeline

When to plant and harvest parsleyPlanting timeline for parsley, relative to last frost: start indoors from 11 weeks before last frost to 3 weeks before last frost; grow from 3 weeks before last frost to 5 weeks after last frost; harvest from 5 weeks after last frost to 11 weeks after last frost.Start indoorsGrowHarvestLast frostTransplant
Start parsley indoors ~8 weeks before transplanting 3 weeks before last frost; first harvest 5 weeks after last frost.
Seed to transplant
28-56 days
Outdoor planting
-21 to 14 days vs frost
Propagation
Seed
Schedule anchor
Last Frost

Companion planting — with cited sources

From US/Canada cooperative-extension publications and peer-reviewed studies. Evidence-tier dots show how strongly each recommendation is backed: ●●● peer-reviewed mechanism · ●● extension consensus · traditional knowledge with a plausible mechanism.

Pairs well with (9)

  • Ají PepperEvidence tier C: Traditional practice with plausible mechanism but limited empirical replicationpest-deter

    Companion interactions equivalent to other domesticated Capsicum spp.; see sweet-bell-pepper / hot-pepper entries for full data.

    Source: S7

  • AsparagusEvidence tier C: Traditional practice with plausible mechanism but limited empirical replicationpest-deter, flavor-folklore

    Basil is traditionally interplanted with asparagus in kitchen gardens; basil volatiles may have mild repellent activity against asparagus beetle, but specific replicated extension data are absent. Tier C.

    Source: S1

  • Cayenne PepperEvidence tier C: Traditional practice with plausible mechanism but limited empirical replicationpest-deter

    Companion interactions for cayenne are equivalent to other Capsicum annuum cultivars; see common-bell-pepper / hot-pepper entries for full data. Basil's eugenol and linalool volatiles have documented deterrent activity against thrips, aphids and whiteflies in lab assays.

    Source: S7, Bekele & Hassanali, 2001

  • Common TomatoEvidence tier C: Traditional practice with plausible mechanism but limited empirical replicationpest-deter, flavor-folklore

    Basil volatiles (linalool, eugenol, methyl chavicol) repel whitefly and thrips in lab choice assays (Bekele & Hassanali 2001); field trials in tomato show mixed but generally favorable results. The traditional 'basil improves tomato flavor' claim has no empirical backing but is a deeply established practice. Basil also fills bed gaps and supports bees.

    Timing: Transplant basil after soil reaches 18 C, same window as tomato.

    Source: Penn State Extension, University of Maryland Extension, Bekele & Hassanali, 2001

  • Habanero PepperEvidence tier C: Traditional practice with plausible mechanism but limited empirical replicationpest-deter

    Companion interactions equivalent to other domesticated Capsicum spp.; see sweet-bell-pepper / hot-pepper entries for full data.

    Source: S7

  • Hot PepperEvidence tier C: Traditional practice with plausible mechanism but limited empirical replicationpest-deter, pollinator-attract

    Hot pepper companion interactions mirror those of sweet bell pepper since both are Capsicum annuum. Basil's volatile oils deter several pepper pests and basil flowers attract pollinators and parasitoids.

    Source: S7, Bekele & Hassanali, 2001

  • OkraEvidence tier C: Traditional practice with plausible mechanism but limited empirical replicationpollinator-attract, pest-deter

    Basil interplanted with okra is a traditional Southern practice; basil volatiles may repel some thrips and whitefly, and the flowering basil supplies nectar for parasitoid wasps. Mechanism plausible but empirical replication in okra systems is limited.

    Region: Southeastern US summer gardens.

    Source: S11

  • Sweet Bell PepperEvidence tier C: Traditional practice with plausible mechanism but limited empirical replicationpest-deter

    Same volatile-oil rationale as for tomato — basil interplanted with sweet pepper may reduce thrips and whitefly pressure; bed-mate benefit and pollinator support are the more consistent gains.

    Source: University of Maryland Extension

  • Tabasco PepperEvidence tier C: Traditional practice with plausible mechanism but limited empirical replicationpest-deter

    Companion interactions equivalent to other domesticated Capsicum spp.; see sweet-bell-pepper / hot-pepper entries.

    Source: S7

Avoid planting near (3)

  • Black WalnutEvidence tier B: Extension consensus across multiple US/Canada land-grant institutionsallelopathy-negative

    Basil is juglone-sensitive and lists in most extension juglone-tolerance tables as a 'do not plant' species near black walnut.

    Source: S5, Penn State Extension

  • Common RosemaryEvidence tier C: Traditional practice with plausible mechanism but limited empirical replicationflavor-folklore

    Traditional charts pair basil away from dry-loving Mediterranean herbs because of conflicting water needs rather than chemical antagonism. Spatial/cultural avoidance rather than allelopathy.

    Source: University of Maryland Extension

  • Common SageEvidence tier C: Traditional practice with plausible mechanism but limited empirical replicationflavor-folklore

    Traditional caution based on conflicting cultural needs (basil prefers richer, moister soil than sage); folklore-tier rather than chemical antagonism.

    Source: University of Maryland Extension

Sources cited

S1
Cornell University Cooperative Extension — vegetable production guides
S11
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension
S28
Bekele & Hassanali, 2001 — basil volatile bioassay
S5
Michigan State University Extension
S6
Penn State Extension
S7
University of Minnesota Extension
S9
University of Maryland Extension — Home & Garden Info Center

Care & troubleshooting— extension-sourced, with citations

When to feed, prune & water

Attract beneficial insects and protect pollinators

Protection
  • Routine carePlant insectary flowers and tolerate light pestsstrong evidence — extension confidence

    Grow a diversity of flowering plants (including small-flowered umbels and asters) to feed predators and parasitoids, and tolerate low pest numbers so natural enemies have prey to stick around.

    Source: UC IPM; UMN Extension

  • Routine careNever spray open bloomsstrong evidence — extension confidence

    Avoid insecticides on flowering plants and apply any needed sprays in the evening when pollinators aren't active, and favor selective products over broad-spectrum ones to spare bees and beneficials.

    Source: UC IPM

Mulch to suppress weeds and retain moisture

Mulch
  • Routine careApply organic mulch around plantsstrong evidence — extension confidence

    Spread a few inches of straw, shredded leaves, or compost around established plants (keeping it off stems) to hold soil moisture, suppress weeds, and moderate soil temperature; wait until soil has warmed for heat-loving crops.

    Source: UMN Extension; Missouri Botanical Garden

Plan crop rotation

Rotation
  • Routine careRotate plant families between bedsstrong evidence — extension confidence

    Avoid planting the same family in the same bed in consecutive years (aim for a 3+ year gap), grouping crops by family so soilborne diseases and pests that build up don't carry over to the next susceptible crop.

    Source: UMN Extension; Cornell

  • Routine careSequence for soil healthmoderate evidence — extension confidence

    Follow heavy feeders like tomatoes and brassicas with legumes or a cover crop to support soil fertility and structure, and keep simple notes each year so you can track where each family grew.

    Source: UMN Extension

Thin crowded seedlings to final spacing

Thinning
  • Routine careThin to ~2 in spacing, then again later· every 3 wks · ~3 wksstrong evidence — extension confidence

    Crowded carrots stay small and forked. Thin to about 1 in when seedlings are 2-3 in tall, then to 2-3 in a few weeks later. Snip rather than pull to avoid disturbing neighbors.

    Source: UMN Extension

Clean up debris and sanitize at season end

Sanitation

Unusual this time of year.

  • Routine careRemove spent plants and fallen debrisstrong evidence — extension confidence

    Pull and clear old plants, dropped fruit, and leaf litter at season end, since many pests and diseases overwinter in this debris; dispose of diseased material rather than composting it.

    Source: UMN Extension; Cornell

  • Routine careClean tools, stakes, and cagesmoderate evidence — extension confidence

    Wash and sanitize stakes, cages, and tools that touched diseased plants before storing or reusing them to avoid carrying pathogens into next season.

    Source: Cornell; UMN Extension

Something looks wrong?

Describe what you see on your parsleyand we'll rank the likely causes — most likely first, least-invasive fix first.

Bacterial soft rot

Diseasesevere

Symptoms: mushy water-soaked decay of fleshy tissue; slimy soft rot of heads, bulbs, roots, or fruit; foul odor from rotting tissue; rapid collapse after wounding or in warm wet conditions; rot spreading in storage

  • CulturalRemove rotting plants and produce (manage, not cure)strong evidence — extension confidence

    Soft rot can't be cured once tissue breaks down; promptly remove and discard affected plants and produce so the bacteria don't spread to neighbors or other stored vegetables.

    Source: Cornell NYS IPM

  • CulturalAvoid wounds and excess moisturestrong evidence — extension confidence

    Harvest in dry conditions, handle gently to avoid bruising, control insects that create entry wounds, and improve drainage; cure and store bulbs and roots cool and dry.

    Source: Cornell NYS IPM

  • CulturalDon't overwater and rotatemoderate evidence — extension confidence

    Avoid waterlogged soil and overhead watering that splashes bacteria, and rotate away from previously affected fleshy crops to lower disease pressure.

    Source: Cornell NYS IPM

Southern blight

Diseasesevere

Symptoms: sudden wilting in hot weather; yellowing then collapse of whole plant; white fan-like mold mat at the stem base and soil; tan-brown mustard-seed-sized sclerotia near soil line; girdled rotted lower stem

  • CulturalRemove infected plants and surrounding soil (manage, not cure)strong evidence — extension confidence

    Once a plant collapses it can't be cured; dig out the plant plus the top few inches of nearby soil containing sclerotia and dispose of it, avoiding spread on tools.

    Source: Clemson Land-Grant Press; UC IPM

  • CulturalBury residue and rotatemoderate evidence — extension confidence

    Deep-turn soil to bury sclerotia, remove crop debris at season end, and rotate susceptible solanaceous and legume crops with grasses for several seasons.

    Source: Clemson Land-Grant Press

  • CulturalAdjust soil pH and plant earlymoderate evidence — extension confidence

    Maintain soil pH at the level recommended for the crop, since the disease is worse in low-pH soils, and time plantings so harvest begins before peak summer heat favors the fungus.

    Source: Clemson Land-Grant Press

White mold (Sclerotinia stem rot)

Diseasesevere

Symptoms: water-soaked stem or branch lesions; fluffy white cottony mold on stems and pods; sudden wilting of part of a plant; hard black sclerotia inside or on stems; collapse during cool wet bloom periods

  • CulturalRemove infected plants (manage, not cure)strong evidence — extension confidence

    There's no cure for an infected plant; cut out and bag affected plants including the black sclerotia, and don't compost them, since sclerotia survive years in soil.

    Source: UMN Extension; UC IPM

  • CulturalOpen the canopy and rotatestrong evidence — extension confidence

    Space plants widely, control weeds, orient rows to prevailing wind, and avoid overhead watering at bloom to dry the canopy; rotate to non-host crops (corn or other grasses) for several years.

    Source: UMN Extension; UC IPM

  • CulturalWater at the base, not overheadmoderate evidence — extension confidence

    Use drip or soaker irrigation to keep foliage and the soil surface drier, which discourages the sclerotia germination and mycelial growth that drive white mold.

    Source: UC IPM

Carrot rust fly

Pestmoderate

Symptoms: rusty brown tunnels through carrot roots; stunted reddish foliage

  • CulturalRow cover + delay sowingstrong evidence — extension confidence

    Cover the bed with insect netting from sowing, and avoid the spring egg-laying peak by sowing a little later. Crop rotation helps.

    Source: UMN Extension

Root rot from overwatering / poor drainage

Diseasemoderate

Symptoms: stunted yellowing plants that wilt despite wet soil; soft brown mushy roots; sloughing root outer layer leaving thread-like core; poor growth in low or compacted wet spots; seedlings collapsing at the soil line

Tarnished plant bug / lygus

Pestmoderate

Symptoms: deformed or puckered new growth; pitted or scarred stems and leaves; aborted or misshapen buds and fruit; catfaced or dimpled strawberries; small bronze-green bugs with triangular back marking

  • CulturalManage surrounding weedsstrong evidence — extension confidence

    Keep broadleaf weeds mowed or removed around the garden, since lygus build up on flowering weeds and move to crops as those weeds dry down; avoid mowing large weedy areas right beside fruiting crops at bloom.

    Source: UC IPM

  • CulturalVacuum or shake plants to monitor and reduce· every 5 daysmoderate evidence — extension confidence

    Tap plants over a light-colored tray to check for nymphs; a handheld vacuum used once or twice weekly can hold low to moderate numbers down on small plantings.

    Source: UC IPM

  • OrganicTreat nymphs if damage is building· every 1 wkmoderate evidence — extension confidence

    For active nymph infestations, azadirachtin or a Beauveria bassiana product can give some control per the label; preserve the parasitic wasps and other natural enemies that help suppress lygus.

    Always follow the product label — it is the law.

    Source: UC IPM

Aphids

Pestlow

Symptoms: clusters of tiny soft-bodied insects on new growth and undersides; sticky honeydew or sooty mold; curled distorted new leaves; ants tending them

  • CulturalBlast off with water· every 3 days · ~2 wksstrong evidence — extension confidence

    Knock colonies off with a strong jet of water in the morning; repeat every few days. Light infestations rarely need more.

    Source: UC IPM: Aphids

  • OrganicInsecticidal soap - label use only· every 1 wk · ~3 wksmoderate evidence — extension confidence

    For persistent colonies apply insecticidal soap to undersides per label. Avoid open flowers.

    Always follow the product label — it is the law.

    Source: UC IPM