Or it can be direct seeded outdoors as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring. If you want a crop sooner, start your seed indoors now and transplant outdoors from March through May, depending on which part of the state you live in. Or buy and transplant starts and plant outdoors when you would your own transplants. Parsley starts are available at most farmers' markets and garden stores. You'll be harvesting parsley two months sooner if you start seeds indoors now and plant them out later, rather than start them from seed outdoors later.
Leaves are generally ready for harvest about three months after seeding.
They are all tap-rooted biennials or short lived perennials, sending up foliage the first year and flowering the second year. Parsley is in the same family as carrots, dill, fennel, parsnips and celery. Whatever varieties you choose to plant, plant seeds in fertile, well-drained soil with a generous amount of organic matter. Parsley thrives in full sun but does tolerate light shade. Keep soil uniformly moist until germination.