Parsley Root Hanácká

Petroselinum crispum convar. radicosum - Hanácká

A root vegetable that belongs to biennial plants. It is a source of provitamin A and vitamins B, C, E, and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium, sodium and phosphorus. In the first year, the plant develops a white taproot and glossy, long-stalked, richly lobed 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 varieties. Curly parsley is used in soups and salads. Flat-leaf parsley is used primarily as a seasoning and for tea, which stimulates appetite. The leaf form is also used to decorate cold dishes and for flavoring. 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. During dry periods, it needs regular watering. During the growing season, parsley requires regular watering and fertilizing. During drought periods, regular irrigation is essential! During the cultivation of root parsley, the plot should 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 at a depth of 2 cm.

• Parsley is grown in deeply worked soils that are light. The optimal pH is 6.

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

• Parsley is attacked by leafhoppers that suck on the plants. The sucked tissue becomes deformed and dries out. Flowers and young fruits gradually fall off. Plants can be protected with Decis Mega.

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

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

  Aphids or spider mites can be eliminated with Pirimor or Decis.

  Roots are occasionally attacked by nematodes. A safe protection is to plant African Marigolds (Tagetes) in the surrounding area.

  Rust may also appear on plants. Treat them with a suitable fungicide.

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