Parsley and parsley root are among the best-known herbs that can be harvested almost all year round. What you have to consider if you want to properly harvest parsley in the garden or from the balcony.

When is parsley harvested?

You can harvest parsley all year round. Parsley growing in the garden produces new leaves from spring until the onset of frost, which you can cut off as you go.

Perennial parsley begins to bloom in the second year. The flowering period is in the summer months of June and July.

Once the parsley blooms, you must stop using it. The poisonous apiol then forms in the leaves and especially the seeds, which has a harmful effect on the digestive system. The seeds in particular are poisonous and must not be eaten under any circumstances.

Harvest parsley properly

The biggest mistake you can make is cutting the heart of the parsley. You can recognize the heart by the thickened stalk, on the side of which new shoots develop. It is usually in the middle of the plant.

If you cut the heart, the parsley will stop growing and will die after a short time.

Always cut off the bottom of the parsley

To properly harvest parsley, don't just pluck the leaves. Cut the whole stalk as low to the ground as possible. This encourages the parsley to develop more shoots with leaves.

The best time for harvest

Like all aromatic herbs with a high proportion of essential oils, parsley is best picked on a dry morning. The leaves are then particularly aromatic.

Gain Parsley Seeds

Once flowering has started, the parsley plant is used up. You can either pull them out right away or leave them where they are so the flowers can be pollinated by insects.

In the fall, the seeds are ripe, which you can use to propagate parsley next year. Store in a cool, dry place until ready to sow.

Harvest parsley root

Parsley roots take a long time to harvest. Although they are sown in spring, they only reach their full flavor in autumn.

  • Poke a digging fork next to the row
  • lift the earth a little
  • pull out roots
  • Keep in a cool place for storage

You can also leave parsley root in the ground and harvest as needed. You only have to get all the roots out of the ground when the temperatures drop so much that the ground threatens to freeze through.

tips and tricks

Parsley must be consumed as soon as possible after harvesting. Even if you put it in a glass of water, it won't keep for long and it also loses its aroma. If you have harvested too much, it is best to freeze the herb. You should only dry it in exceptional cases, as dried parsley hardly has any aroma.

Category:

Vegetable garden