Flowers on parsley?

[JoeSpareBedroom]

It's always been my understanding that parsley flowered in its second year, but mine are (theoretically) first year plants, purchased from a garden center, and they're flowering. Why?

[Una]

...in cold climates. In warm climates typically it is an annual.

Sounds like your parsley got a big head start in a greenhouse, and is now finishing its lifecycle. Next year, use more of it sooner; that helps to delay flowering.

Una

[Phisherman]

It may have been "fooled" this is its second year. I start fresh parsley from seed every year. It is very easy to grow, all you need is sunshine, water and a little patience for the long germination time.

[JoeSpareBedroom]

I ran into a problem starting seeds this year. It's a fungus called "forgot". :)

[Pat Kiewicz]

Your parsley plants were vernalized. That is, exposed to sufficiently cold temperatures at some point such that they were 'tricked' into blooming.

Vernalization is a legitimate technique to get artichokes to flower the first year, or when growing artichokes as annuals in climates that are too cold for them to winter over.

It's a pain in the ass when it happens to your leeks, beets, parsley, etc.

Typically triggered (when unwanted) by a very late frost or cold snap.

Happened to my leeks last year. We'd had an unusually heavy frost in very late May.

[JoeSpareBedroom]

You're describing a typical early June in Rochester NY. 3:00 in the afternoon - 85 degrees. Midnight - 36 degrees. Drives the peach growers crazy.