I have kept parsley through the winters in 8 inch clay pots. They set in a moderately sunny window and do well. The root ball will take up the whole 4 1/2 inch pot. It may do okay in the small pot with a good deal of water soluble fertilizer like Miracle-Gro. I found it needed the weekly dose in a larger pot. The plant always lasts until the next year's plant is just getting bid enough to use. The root ball takes up most of the 8 inch pot.

I have many sizes of clay pots and these are all sitting on the floor in my garage sales. I have never sold, or even been asked if a customer wants some. They are quite heavy, and are a collection dating back over 40 years. In Z6, parsley may not survive outside. It might be best to bring it in before a fall frost and place it back outside after danger of frost is gone.

Jean, does the long planter have drainage holes in it?

I'm not sure that I'm following you about the gravel. Tell me if I'm right: do you mean to fill the long planter with gravel, up and around and over the top of the smaller clay pots? ;-)

Those pots are WAY too small! And probably WAY too short. Remember, parsley has a long taproot.

Rhizo
Yes gravel around but not over top of the pots. I havent did it yet, not the gravel part yet.
Daisyduckworth , Really????
Wonder why the herbal potted 5 types of herbs in a shallow "salad bowl" I bought from Lowes is doing fine. Parsley is about the only thing that has NOT died. There is a little bit of marjoram ( I believe, that is hanging on. The parsley wants to Monopolize the planter.....
Thanks all
Jean

I agree that the pots may be on the small side. I grow Italian parsley in a 12 inch pot (one plant per pot). Curly parsley is generally a smaller plant so would do fine in a smaller pot, like a 6 or 8 inch pot. The gravel may help lessen the evaporation from the small clay pot, but you might still have to water such a small pot nearly everyday. Why not plant directly in the planter, without any gravel?

Let us know how it does with your set up.

-F. DeBaggio