Overview

Used as a garnish or directly in dishes, parsley is a delicate herb with a strong peppery taste, making it a favorite for many chefs. As a biennial, edible white flowers emerge in an umbel during the plant’s second growing season. An attractor of butterflies and other beneficial insects, this herb will not only benefit your palate, it’ll also spruce up your garden! Seeds possess an extremely thick coat, causing the germination process to take some time, so patience is key with these little ones. Flat leaf parsley tends to be favored for its culinary uses while curly is often used as decoration. However, flavor varies greatly by variety, so don’t rule out any types without checking their full credentials first!

Moss Curled parsley is a densely curled variety frequently used as a garnish. Even though the flavor is more subtle than most flat leaf types, it’s still pretty tasty. Moss Curled grows great in containers and reaches between 10 and 16″ in height. An early type that can be ready to harvest in just 2 months, plants are cold hardy and will tolerate light frosts. We recommend this variety for drying or as a breath freshener. You’re loved ones will thank us!

  • Botanical Name: Petroselinum crispum var. crispum
  • Plant Type: Herb
  • Variety: Moss Curled
  • Growth Cycle: Annual Biennial
  • Season(s): Spring Summer Fall Winter
  • Climate Zone(s): 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b
  • Light: Full Sun Partial Shade
  • Soil Type(s): Loamy
  • Yield: 2–6 oz per plant
  • Garden Dimensions: 1–2 plants per square foot
  • Germination: 14–28 days
  • Maturity: 70–80 days
  • Harvest: 50–90 days

Cultivation

Propagation

SEED: If starting seeds indoors, use biodegradable pots because parsley doesn’t like to be transplanted. Seed germination is also slow, and seeds older than the last growing season may not germinate well. For best results, stratify seeds at 30–35°F for a few days and then soak in water for 6–8 hours before planting.

Seed Depth: 1/4″
Space Between Plants: 7–10″
Space Between Rows: 12–16″
Germination Soil Temperature: Minimum 50°F, optimal 70–80°F.
Days for Germination: 14–28
Sow Indoors: 6 to 8 weeks before average last frost.
Sow Outdoors: Start seeds in late fall for sprouts the following spring. Or plant 4 to 6 weeks before average last frost or as soon as the soil can be worked.

Climate

Grows best in moderate climates. Prefers cooler weather to heat and will likely become stunted or die if exposed to temperatures over 80°F for prolonged periods of time. Will tolerate light frosts.

Light

Natural: Full sun. Provide light shade when growing in hot weather.

Artificial: A great candidate for indoor growing, parsley can be started under fluorescent lights or even on a sunny window sill.

Growing Media

Soil: Prefers a rich, loamy soil. A pH of between 5.2 and 6.0 will keep plants healthy and nourished.

Soilless: A great candidate for indoor growing, parsley will grow well in mineral wool or most soilless mixes containing perlite, coco coir, and/or vermiculite.

Hydroponics: Can be easily grown in a hydroponic system. Use a medium such as sand or clay beads.

Aeroponics: Will thrive in an aeroponic system.

Care

Water: Requires low to moderate levels of water. Soil should be kept moist but not saturated except in the earliest growth stages when seeds are germinating.

Nutrients: A heavy feeder, parsley needs nutrient-rich soil, so fertilizer may be needed if your soil isn’t the best quality. A balanced nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium fertilizer will generally do the trick and should be applied prior to planting and after your first cutting if harvesting more than once in a season.

Pruning: Cut plant back with scissors or by hand throughout the growing season to encourage new shoots and broader leaves.

Mulching: Use mulch to retain soil moisture and suppress weed growth.

Troubleshooting

Pest(s):

  • Carrot fly
  • Earworms
  • Flea beetles
  • Leaf hoppers
  • Parsley worm caterpillar
  • Slugs
  • White flies

Disease(s):

  • Aster yellows
  • Leaf spot
  • Root rot
  • Stem rot

Rotation and Companion Plants

Rotation: A 2- to 3-year rotation away from all plants in the Apiaceae family is recommended.

Companions: Grows well with asparagus, carrots, chives, onions, tomatoes, and basil. Avoid mint.

Harvest and Storage

Harvest: May be harvested at any point by either picking off outer sprigs or cutting the entire plant.

Storage: Place in a plastic bag with paper towel and keep in the refrigerator for up to a couple weeks. Dried parsley will keep for up to a year, but will gradually lose flavor.

Other Info

History: This variety was grown before 1865, making it a heritage breed.

Consumption

Preserve and Prepare

Preserve: Freezing or drying are the most common ways to preserve this herb. To freeze, add the chopped herb to water or oil and freeze in cubes until needed. Drying can be done either in a dehydrator or simply by hanging upside down. Do note that when dried, parsley loses much of its flavor.

Prepare: Use as a garnish or for flavoring in any dish including pasta, stews, and soups. Parsley is a flavorful addition to any meal whether fresh or cooked.

Benefits

Nutritional: Rich in vitamin(s) A, C, E, and K as well as minerals, especially iron. The herb is also known for its high content of antioxidants.

Medicinal: This plant has historically been used to treat all kinds of maladies but has more recently been credited with lowering blood sugar levels, acting as a diuretic to support kidney function, and as an antiseptic.

Culinary

Serve up this Fried Curly Parsley for a surprising appetizer or garnish.

Resources

Helpful Links

Wikipedia

No Reviews

Be the first to share your experience.

Leave a Review


*