Parsley root resembles the taproot of a parsnip. Their aroma is more intense and stronger and has a slightly sweet note. Since the vegetables are cultivated in greenhouses, the season is extended. It's different in the garden.
Parsley roots look a lot like parsnips
This is how root parsley grows
Behind the parsley root hides the species Petroselinum crispum subsp. tuberosum, which is available in supermarkets all year round. The main season extends from November to February, making the crop a winter vegetable. Occasionally the harvest takes place as early as October.
growth
The umbellifer is a biennial plant that forms parsley-like and aromatically scented leaves in the first year. During the growing season, the plant stores nutrients in the roots. They grow and serve to survive so that the species can sprout in the coming spring. The flowers and fruit develop in the second year. The taproots are then no longer suitable for harvesting as they lose their taste and nutrients.
Influence the yields positively
Root parsley is cultivated in open ground or greenhouse. Sowing takes place outdoors between March and April, because then you can make optimal use of the winter soil moisture. The later you sow the seeds, the more restricted the roots grow and the crop yields decrease. It takes between 15 and 20 days for the first cotyledons to appear. The seed germinates rather irregularly and slowly.
Sow correctly:
- keep a row spacing of 30 centimeters
- Allow seven centimeters of space between the plants
- Press the seeds one to two centimeters deep into the soil
- Keep substrate evenly moist
- pull weeds regularly
Expectations
As soon as the roots grow, a coordinated water supply is necessary. The herbaceous plant requires a loose and well-drained soil. This not only promotes growth, but also contributes to a better harvest. If the subsoil is heavily compacted, waterlogged or stony, the taproots often show curvature. The site offers sunny and warm conditions.
maintenance
Until mid-June you should water the plants regularly so that the soil is well moist but not wet. Remove unwanted weeds, because the parsley root is considered less competitive and will quickly overgrow. Frost poses no threat to the roots.
Harvest Notes
During the growing season, you should refrain from picking leaves. The more leaf mass a plant loses, the more restricted root growth. The digging up of the mature outlasting organs begins in late autumn. You can freshly harvest the winter vegetables throughout the winter. The crop is in a pause at this time, so growth stagnates and the taproots retain their freshness until spring.
tips
Choose a frost-free day and loosen the soil along the rows with a sow tooth. Pull the root parsley out of the ground by the tuft of leaves.