Katinka
Petroselinum crispum
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Upright, tall plants make Katinka easy to harvest. Dark green curled leaves with a uniform canopy. Suitable for field or container production. Mild and pleasant parsley flavor. Katinka is very similar to Wega with the primary difference being that Katinka is taller for optimal bunch harvest and productivity in the field. Curled-leaf type. Ht. 14-20".
Harvest
75d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
3–11
USDA hardiness
Height
0-3 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Katinka in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 herb →Zone Map
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Katinka · Zones 3–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 11 | January – January | January – March | — | March – December |
| Zone 3 | April – May | June – July | — | July – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – July | — | July – October |
| Zone 5 | March – April | May – June | — | June – October |
| Zone 6 | March – April | May – June | — | June – November |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – June | — | June – November |
| Zone 8 | February – March | April – May | — | May – December |
| Zone 9 | January – February | March – April | — | April – December |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – April | — | April – December |
Succession Planting
Parsley germinates slowly — 7 to 14 days even in warm soil — so start a second round of transplants indoors about 6 weeks after your first set goes in the ground. In zone 7, a February indoor sow targets April transplants; a late March or early April sow gives you a June transplant that carries production through fall. Katinka handles light frost without much complaint and keeps producing into November. Starting another batch after late June isn't worth the seed — plants won't size up before cold slows things down, and your first planting will still be going strong.
Complete Growing Guide
Upright, tall plants make Katinka easy to harvest. Dark green curled leaves with a uniform canopy. Suitable for field or container production. Mild and pleasant parsley flavor. Katinka is very similar to Wega with the primary difference being that Katinka is taller for optimal bunch harvest and productivity in the field. Curled-leaf type. Ht. 14-20". According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Katinka is 75 days to maturity, biennial, open pollinated. Notable features: Grows Well in Containers.
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Katinka reaches harvest at 75 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 14-20". at peak.
The small, ridged seeds are formed in the second year from July to September. The fruit and seeds are poisonous to birds.
Type: Schizocarp.
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Edibility: Leaves as flavoring and garnish
Storage & Preservation
Freshly harvested Katinka parsley keeps best in the refrigerator at 32–40°F in a sealed plastic bag or container lined with a damp paper towel to maintain moisture without promoting rot. Under these conditions, expect 2–3 weeks of acceptable freshness. For longer preservation, freezing works exceptionally well: blanch sprigs briefly in boiling water, shock in ice water, pat dry thoroughly, then freeze in airtight bags or ice cube trays covered with water. Alternatively, air-dry bundles upside down in a warm, well-ventilated space for 1–2 weeks until crisp, then crumble and store in airtight jars away from light. Katinka's finely curled leaves dry particularly quickly and retain good flavor, making this method especially practical for this variety. Avoid canning fresh parsley alone, as its low acid content poses food safety risks.
History & Origin
Katinka is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.
Origin: Europe
Advantages
- +Tall upright growth (14-20") makes harvesting bunches easier and faster
- +Dark green uniform canopy provides attractive, marketable appearance for retail
- +Suitable for both field production and container growing versatility
- +Mild, pleasant flavor profile appeals to broad culinary applications
Considerations
- -Requires consistent moisture; drought stress causes leaves to become bitter
- -Taller height may require staking support in windy growing conditions
- -Susceptible to root rot in poorly-draining or waterlogged soil
Companion Plants
Chives and marigolds pull the most weight here — chives repel aphids through their sulfur compounds, and Tagetes patula specifically releases thiophenes from its roots that suppress nematode populations in the soil around them. Nasturtiums work as a trap crop, drawing aphids off the parsley onto a plant you don't mind losing. Fennel is the one to keep on the opposite end of the garden entirely — it produces allelopathic compounds that stunt parsley and most other herbs planted within a few feet. Sage has a milder antagonistic effect, but if they have to share a bed, keep at least 24 inches between them.
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids and whiteflies, may improve flavor
Chives
Natural pest deterrent, repels aphids and other soft-bodied insects
Marigolds
Deters nematodes and various garden pests with strong scent
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps
Oregano
Repels pests and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture
Lavender
Deters moths, fleas, and mice while attracting pollinators
Thyme
Natural fungicide properties and repels cabbage worms
Keep Apart
Fennel
Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathy
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that stunts or kills many herbs
Sage
Can be allelopathic to nearby plants when mature
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #172232)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Common Pests
Parsley worm, spider mites, aphids
Diseases
Leaf spot, root rot, damping off
Troubleshooting Katinka
What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.
Seedlings collapse at soil level overnight — stems pinched, black, and almost girdled near the base
Likely Causes
- Damping off — a complex of soil-borne pathogens (Pythium, Rhizoctonia) that thrive in cool, wet, poorly-drained seed-starting mix
- Overwatering or trays without drainage keeping the medium saturated
What to Do
- 1.Pull and discard affected seedlings immediately; don't try to save them
- 2.Switch to a sterile, well-draining seed-starting mix and water only when the top half-inch is dry
- 3.Run a small fan near your trays — still air is what tips borderline-wet conditions into an outbreak
Irregular tan or brown spots spreading across leaves, sometimes with a yellow halo, on established plants
Likely Causes
- Leaf spot — Septoria petroselini is the common culprit on parsley, splashing up from soil during rain or overhead watering
- Crowded planting that keeps foliage wet for extended periods
What to Do
- 1.Remove and trash (not compost) affected leaves as soon as you spot them
- 2.Water at the base, not overhead, and mulch with straw to reduce soil splash
- 3.Space plants at least 18 inches apart — Katinka spreads to 18–24 inches at maturity and the airflow matters
Plant wilts and yellows despite adequate soil moisture; roots are brown, slimy, and fall apart when pulled
Likely Causes
- Root rot — typically Pythium or Phytophthora species in waterlogged or compacted soil
- Planting in a low spot that holds standing water after rain
What to Do
- 1.Dig out the affected plant and dispose of it; don't replant parsley or other Apiaceae in that spot for at least one season
- 2.Amend heavy clay beds with compost before planting, or move to a raised bed if drainage problems keep coming back
- 3.NC State Extension notes that root rots compromise the entire vascular system — once you see advanced crown collapse, that plant is done
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Katinka parsley take to grow from seed to harvest?▼
Is Katinka parsley good for beginners?▼
Can you grow Katinka parsley in containers?▼
What does Katinka parsley taste like?▼
How is Katinka different from Wega parsley?▼
What sunlight and spacing does Katinka parsley need?▼
Growing Guides from Wind River Greens
Where to Buy Seeds
Sources & References
External authority sources used in compiling this guide.
- BreederJohnny's Selected Seeds
- USDAUSDA FoodData Central
See the Methodology page for how this data is sourced, what's AI-assisted, and known limitations.