A cook's best friend, Petroselinum crispum, commonly known as curly parsley, is used in myriad ways in the kitchen. Often discarded by diners as 'just a garnish,' parsley has many valuable nutrients including bet-carotene, calcium, iron, and Vitamins A and C in easily assimilated form. Parsley has a pleasant flavour and is often used as a breath freshener particularly after eating raw garlic and onions.
Parsley is a hardy biennial or short-lived perennial and grows 10 ?12 inches (24 ? 30 cm) tall. Cultivation requirements: fairly rich, moist soil, full sun or partial shade, water well during dry periods. In the second year, yellowish-white flowers are produced. Parsley can be treated as an annual for cooking purposes, as the first year's leaves are superior to the later crops. Parsley will self-sow so you can leave it where it is. Curly parsley makes a gorgeous edging along garden beds and is attractive planted with flowers and in container gardens. You can start the plants in the house prior to planting in the garden or you can seed it straight into the location where you want it to grow.
Parsley can be grown indoors or out. Grow parsley from seed or you can purchase started plants at the garden centres. I have read numerous times that it is hard to germinate parsley from seed but I have not had any problems. If growing parsley in pots, plant in a deep pot to accommodate the long taproot. Parsley can be brought indoors at the end of the growing season the same as other herbs. When bringing indoors, pot up in fresh potting soil, and check for critters. If there is an infestation, spray with a soap and water spray.
Parsley requires at least 5 hours of sunlight if grown indoors. If you are growing it on a windowsill, parsley should be turned regularly to ensure that all sides receive sunlight. Parsley grows well under fluorescents lights during the winter. Hang lights 6 inches (15 cm) from the plants and leave on for 14 hours a day.
In the garden, parsley can be planted near asparagus, corn, and tomatoes. In the kitchen, parsley can be used fresh in salads, sauces, and soups. Add to stews, stuffing, vegetable dishes, eggs, tabbouleh, dips, biscuits, omelets, rice and pasta dishes, meat, fish, shellfish, poultry ? the list is endless. Parsley can be mixed with soft cheeses such as ricotta or cottage cheese. Chop it finely, mash into butter and serve with bread, or melt it into casseroles, scrambled eggs, or pasta. Tie 3 sprigs of parsley, 1 sprig of thyme, and 1 bay leaf together with string to make a bouquet garni. Add the herbs to a soup pot and pull out just before serving.
Parsley can be dried or frozen. To store fresh parsley in the fridge, place the stems in a glass jar of cold water. It will stay fresh for several days.
Gwen Nyhus Stewart, B.S.W., M.G., H.T., is an educator, freelance writer, garden consultant, and author of the book The Healing Garden: A Place Of Peace ? Gardening For The Soil, Gardening For The Soul and the booklet Non-toxic Alternatives For Everyday Cleaning And Gardening Products. She owns the website Gwen's Healing Garden where you will find lots of free information about gardening for the soil and gardening for the soul. To find out more about the books and subscribe to her free Newsletter visit http://www.gwenshealinggarden.ca
Gwen Nyhus Stewart © 2004 ? 2005. All rights reserved.
To design a wild flower garden, you do not need... Read More
Decorative Birdhouses are active garden ornamentation --the presence and movement... Read More
We all know one disadvantage of flowers is that they... Read More
Some might ask, "Why grow Italian vegetable seeds?" Why bother... Read More
If you appreciate plants that have no hesitation in boldly... Read More
Slugs are one of the most hated of garden pests.... Read More
Today there are sprays, scented candles, plug-ins, and even discs... Read More
Having a beautiful and functional landscape is every homeowners dream.... Read More
One of the best ways to bring together the many... Read More
Spring is the season to start planting seeds for the... Read More
As humans, we are always on the lookout for a... Read More
One winter evening I was working on the computer when... Read More
Planting wild flowers in your garden, or simply scattering wild... Read More
Container gardeners take note. Tired of clay pots? Think vintage,... Read More
It is a beautiful evening and you are relaxing on... Read More
Part Two in a SeriesOnce you have your landscape design... Read More
Surprisingly enough, it is usually in mid-summer that many gardeners... Read More
Recently I got involved with gardening. Preior to that, all... Read More
It is unavoidable, Fall is coming and we like to... Read More
Patio accessories can range from small to large and of... Read More
I have a love for funky, fun and unique garden... Read More
All your hard work has paid off, and now you... Read More
Greenhouses provide a warm, humid atmosphere and are home to... Read More
Most of us regard a sundial as an attractive ornament... Read More
Noted English clergyman Sydney Smith (1771-1845) is quoted as saying,... Read More
Following are a few paragraphs about the on going battle... Read More
Your dozen rose gift doesn't only have to decorate your... Read More
Bare Root Roses, what to look for when buyingThe first... Read More
After much searching and deliberation, I finally bought a lawnmower... Read More
Do you love swimming? Do you dream of an in... Read More
This is the time of the year that I keep... Read More
Outdoor benches are an excellent way to enhance a garden,... Read More
Ok, the title "winter gardening" might be a tad bit... Read More
Using landscaping ideas can be an effective way to attract... Read More
The history of artificial or fake grass is to say... Read More
Notice any fish disappearing lately? While herons are present year-round,... Read More
"Gardens are not made by sitting in the shade." -Rudyard... Read More
When selecting furniture for their outdoor spaces, many people purchase... Read More
A garden fountain can add beauty and serenity to you... Read More
While shopping on line the other day at www.stoveramishfurniture.com, I... Read More
Hi there,I am Jhon Saunders and recently took up gardening... Read More
A feng shui money tree is an indoor plant used... Read More
Gardening is one of life's pleasures whether you grow flowers,... Read More
Purple Martins are the largest member of the swallow family.... Read More
Certain types or colors of flowers mean different things, and... Read More
Chocolate cosmos (Cosmos atrosanguinea) is both nose and eye candy... Read More
I've done a lot of container gardening over the years,... Read More
Unless you have access to a greenhouse, or something like... Read More
Having an outdoor patio offers the opportunity and place to... Read More
Many finer homes and businesses feature beautiful indoor and outdoor... Read More
|