Sowing parsley: when and how to sow it?
Parsley (family Apiaceae) is a plant easy to grow and widely used in cooking in various preparations. It belongs to the same family as other well-known aromatic plants such as chervil, coriander or cumin. The plant can be up to 60 cm high, it is decorative and requires relatively little maintenance, which explains its success on the edges of the kitchen in particular.
The most common variety is flat-leaf parsley or Petroselinum crispum ssp sativum.The curly variety has a more ruffled appearance than the flat-leaf variety, but both are equally good to grow and rich in flavor. Another well-known variety is also the Italian Giant Parsley. The plant is hardy, surviving the winter well. It flowers one year after sowing.
When and how to plant parsley?
Spring is the ideal time to plant seedlings in the garden. Seeds can be sown indoors or outdoors. The best time to plant seeds is to sow them indoors about six weeks in advance in the spring, as this plant is slow to germinate, about 3 weeks and up to 1 month. To promote germination, soak the seeds in water the day before sowing. Check the sowing calendar for the optimal time to sow this aromatic plant.
Since the seeds are quite small, there is no need to cover them with soil. To plant the seeds, simply sprinkle them on the soil and then water them. Once the seeds have germinated, keep one or two plants per pot (the strongest) before transplanting them to the garden. Plant the seeds or seedlings in full sun and in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. Add several inches of compost or other organic matter that will promote growth.
In hot climates, place parsley plants in partial shade. Parsley is easy to grow because it adapts easily to any well-drained soil. In pots, grow it in a mixture of soil and potting mix to ensure that it flourishes and grows well.
How to maintain the plants in the garden?
This aromatic plant appreciates constant moisture, so water often, especially when the upper part of the leaves becomes dry. Cut off yellowed leaves as you go along and mulch around the plants to prevent them from drying out. In winter, in the open ground, the plant can withstand freezing temperatures down to about -10°. It is not necessary to bring fertilizer for maintenance but you can encourage the production of leaves by feeding them from time to time with compost. Avoid nitrogen which is not recommended. This aromatic plant is not afraid of pests, it can grow without fear in the vegetable garden next to zucchini, celery or carrots.
Harvesting the plant and storing it
Parsley is planted in spring and harvested in summer and fall. In pots, you can enjoy it all year round, as long as you avoid overwatering the plants. Harvest the stems by cutting them at the base once they are large enough to be used. Never cut more than a third of the plant at one time. You can store the fresh stems for a few days in water or chop them and keep them in the freezer for a year to use.
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