JoeSpareBedroom said:


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?

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.

--
Pat in Plymouth MI

"Vegetables are like bombs packed tight with all kinds of important
nutrients..." --Largo Potter, Valkyria Chronicles

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