Parsley root Hanácká

Petroselinum crispum convar. radicosum - Hanácká

Root vegetable that belongs to biennial plants. It is a source of provitamin A and vitamins B, C, E, and minerals potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium, sodium and phosphorus. In the first year, the plant develops a white taproot and glossy, long-stalked, richly serrated leaves. In the second year, it flowers in summer. Parsley is divided into root and leaf types. Leaf parsley is then divided into flat-leaf and curly parsley. Curly parsley is used in soups and salads. Flat-leaf parsley is used primarily as a spice and for tea, which stimulates appetite. The leaf form is also used to decorate cold dishes and flavor them. It can also be dried and frozen. The root form is very suitable for heat treatment, especially in soups, salads and also for frying. It is also suitable for storage.

How to Grow Parsley

• Root parsley requires plenty of light, curly parsley tolerates partial shade well. In dry periods it needs regular watering. During the growing season, parsley requires regular watering and fertilization. During drought periods, regular watering is essential! During root parsley cultivation, the plot must be weeded.

• Early varieties of root parsley are sown in beds in October to November, late varieties of parsley are sown in early spring when the soil is still saturated with water from melting snow. Leaf parsley is sown in beds in March, April and then again in August. Seeds of both types of parsley are sown to a depth of 2 cm.

• Parsley is grown on deeply cultivated soils that are light. The optimal pH is 6.

• With nitrogen over-fertilization, it suffers from rust. It does not tolerate salinization. Never fertilize beds with manure before planting! High nitrogen content causes poor storability. During vegetation, we fertilize with complex NPK fertilizer with lower nitrogen content and avoid using fertilizers containing chlorine. For fertilization, we can use Cererit or Kristalon.

• Parsley is attacked by leafhoppers that suck on plants. The sucked tissues deform and dry out. Flowers and young fruits gradually fall off. Plants can be protected with Decis Mega.

  If whitish, powdery fungal coatings appear on plants, which gradually turn dirty gray-brown, they have been attacked by powdery mildew of umbellifers. Treat the crop with Kumulus WG or Ortiva.

  The most serious storage rot of parsley roots is black rot. It is transmitted by seed and especially by post-harvest residues. It spreads in wet weather and through watering on the root collars. Protection consists primarily in sowing quality seed treated with fungicide.

  Aphids or spider mites are eliminated using Pirimor or Decis.

  Roots are occasionally attacked by nematodes. Safe protection is to plant African marigolds (Tagetes) in the surrounding area.

  Rust may also occur on plants. Treat them with suitable fungicide.

• Leaf parsley is harvested as needed. Root parsley is harvested when it reaches the desired size. The main harvest period is October.