What season and temperature suit parsley and why is my germination so poor?

Parsley prefers cool to mild weather, roughly 15 to 25 degrees C, and in most of plains India the winter season from October to February gives the best leaf quality. In hot weather it bolts (runs to flower) and the leaf gets tough, while in hills it can be grown over a longer season. Slow germination is normal for parsley, not a seed fault. The seed has natural germination inhibitors and can take 2 to 4 weeks to come up. To improve it, soak seed in clean water for about 24 hours before sowing, sow in a moist seedbed or trays, keep the soil consistently damp (never let it dry out during the long germination period), and cover lightly because the seed needs darkness to germinate but only shallow soil. Use fresh seed, since parsley seed loses viability quickly with age. It likes well drained loamy soil rich in organic matter, pH around 6 to 7. Transplant or thin to about 15 to 20 cm spacing. Once established it gives repeated cuttings over several months if you harvest outer stems and leave the centre to regrow.