Grow your own parsley!! (Parsley)

Member Name: kingseany

Product:	Parsley
Date:	23/07/05 (1857 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to grow, cheap to buy seeds, many uses

Disadvantages: Needs space

We've been growing parsley for some time now, and with much success. A packet of seeds can be picked up cheaply in the supermarket, and you don't need a garden, a windowbox or balcony will do fine. It's nice to take a spring or two whenever cooking something, and you can also freeze it in for later use.

Anybody can grow parsley, it's not particularly hard to get a good crop if you follows some basic rules.

First germinate the seeds before planting, keeping them moist for a few days. Afterwards, plant them a few inches apart in drills, as far apart as you can get them - they like their space. Plant no more than 1/2 inch deep in good soil. Put them in a partly shady area if possible. It may be 3 or 4 weeks before you start to see anything much happening, but once they've popped out, growth is quite rapid. You may need to thin them out a little if you have planted them too close.

You can be quite liberal with water, especially in the hot summer montbs. I tend to water every day, to keep the moisture in the soil. Normal rain or tap water is fine, no need to spoil them with the bottled variety! If the summer is really hot, make sure the leaves do not burn.

Once the plants are of reasonable size, start taking the leaves for use in your dinner, or to store either dried or frozen. I tend to freeze in an early batch, ready chopped, sometimes in ice cube containers, sometimes in plastic bags. Removing the leaves encourages new leaf growth, and you'll find you get a good supply from each plant. Take the leaves when they are still nice and green, and not turned yellow.

Onc the season is over, you can expect another crop again the following year, just remember to remove any flowers promptly and you'll get another good harvest.

Parlsey is a great herb for use in the kitchen, and can be used in all sorts of sauces, soups and dishes. It's great as a garnish too, particularly over potatoes and salads. Mached potatoes take on a new life with some fresh chopped parsley added. Roast chicken, stuffed with parsley gives it a lovely flavour. You can find many recipes using parsley on the internet by typing in "Parsley Recipes" into your favourite search engine.

There are lots of known medicinal reasons to use parsley too, many of which you can look up on the internet - I can't say I've noticed any health benefits myself, but then again I don't really fancy parsley tea in the morning.

Summary: A great herb!