Parsley

Parsley, Petroselinum crispum is an herbaceous biennial or perennial plant in the family Apiaceae grown for its leaves which are used as a herb. Parsley is an aromatic plant with an erect growth habit and possesses branched, hollow stems and dark green flat or curled leaves which are arranged alternately on the stems. The leaves form a rosette on younger plants. The plant produces small, yellow flowers on umbels. Parsley can reach 30–100 cm (12 –39 in) in height depending on the variety being grown and is commonly grown as an annual, harvested after one growing season. Parsley may also be referred to as garden parsley and likely originates from the Mediterranean.


Parsley leaves are used fresh or dried as a culinary herb. Fresh leaves are also commonly used as a garnish. The taproot of some cultivars is edible and may be eaten as a vegetable. Essential oil can be extracted from the parsley flowers and is used as a flavoring.


Basic requirements Parsley plants will grow best when planted in bright sunlight or partial shade. Plants grow best at temperatures between 7 and 16°C (45–61°F) in a well-draining loam which is high in organic matter. It will grow optimally when the soil pH is between 4.9 and 8.2. Propagation Parsley if propagated from seed, either by direct seeding or sowing indoors to produce transplants. Seeds should be sown in the spring when the soil has warmed. Soaking the seeds overnight prior to planting will aid germination. Seeds should be planted no more than 6 mm (0.25 in) deep using 10 to 15 seeds per inch of row space. Seeds should be kept moist and not allowed to dry out. after emergence, seedlings should be thinned to a final spacing of 10–15 cm (4–6 in) apart, leaving 30–60 cm (12–24 in) between rows. Parsley should be left in the ground for a second year if the collection of seed is desired. General care and maintenance Parsley is generally very easy to care for. Keep plants productive by clipping the branches to promote new growth. Remove any flower stalks as they form during the first year of growth to prevent the plant going to seed, retaining the flavor of the leaves. Weeds should be removed from around parsley plants by carefully cultivating the soil. A layer of mulch applied around the plants can help suppress weeds. Fertilizer may be applied to the soil before planting seeds and during the growing season, plants can be side dressed with nitrogen to keep plants productive. Parsley can be overwintered successfully by protecting the plants with a frame or layer of straw. Leaves can be continually harvested over the winter months. Harvesting Parsley is usually ready for harvest about 75 days after sowing, when the plants have reached approximately 20 cm (~8 in) in height. In the home garden, parsley leaves can be harvested as required or whole plants can be harvested and dried for longer storage. If the whole plant is cut, plant growth is usually sufficient to allow for 3 cuttings per year.


Anderson, C. R. Parsley. University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. Available at: http://www.uaex.edu/publications/PDF/FSA-6091.pdf. [Accessed 04 March 15]. Free to access. Brobst, J. E. (2012). Essential facts for parsley Petroselinum crispum . The Herb Society of America. Available at: http://www.herbsociety.org/herbs/documents/Parsleyfactsheet_000.pdf. [Accessed 04 March 15]. Free to access. CABI Crop Protection Compendium. (2008). Petroselinum crispum (parsley) datasheet. Available at: http://www.cabi.org/cpc/datasheet/38808. [Accessed 04 March 15]. Paid subscription required.