Flat-Leaved Parsley
Petroselinum crispum var. neapolitanum
Neapolitan Parsley, Italian Parsley, Plain-Leaved Parsley
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Italian parsley is the more popular, flat-leaved variety of the world's most well-known herb. It has a tangy-sweet flavour, stronger than Curly leaf parsley, thanks to higher levels of essential oil. Also easier to cut up. This member of the carrot family is often one of the beginner gardener's first plants. Apart from common culinary uses, it is also found in shampoo, perfume and dye.
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Planning
Difficulty
Easy
Flowering time
Summer
Harvesting
Leaves can be harvested from late Autumn on throughout the year. Pinch back flowers to lengthen the harvesting period. Flat-leaved Parsley is good for drying.
Propagation
Seed
In Spring to Summer, soak seeds for 3 days, changing water every day. Then sow in a spot with bright light, 6mm deep, in rich, well-drained soil. Germination in 5 - 6 weeks.
Division
Parsley has a long taproot and does not transplant well.
Special features
Attracts useful insects
Butterflies and bees
Crop rotation
Medium Feeder
Pot plant
Excellent pot plant. Use a long narrow pot, to make room for the long taproot.
Repels harmful insects
Juice rubbed into the skin repels mosquitoes.
Special features
Origin
Mediteranean and Egypt
Natural climate
Mediterranean
Environment
Light
Full Sun
Soil moisture
Moist
Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil PH preference
Acid, Neutral
Frost hardiness
Hardy
Uses
Medicinal
Useful to stimulate appetite, relieve flatulence and urinary tract troubles and to improve function of adrenal glands. Acts against bad breath and sooths bee stings and open wounds.
Edible
Ideal for all tomato based dishes. Leaves and stalks have a clean, peppery flavour used universally in all kinds of food, and as a garnish. Contains Vit A and C, Calcium and Iron. Roots edible.
Cosmetic
Parsley seed oil is used in fragrance of soaps and cosmetics.
Notes
Culinary, medicinal, soil conditioner
Personality
Family
Apiaceae
Flower colour
White
Scent
Mild
Problems
Whitefly, Cabbage loopers, Carrot rust flies and weevils, nematodes and spider mites. Spray under the leaves with inseciticidal soap against whiteflies.TParsley is a host for butterfly larvae. By planting extra, you can support a swallowtail butterfly colony and lure insects away from your other vegetables.
Related Problems
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Knowledge and advice
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