Parsley Gigante d'Italia

Petroselinum crispum - Gigante d'Italia

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, deeply cut leaves. In the second year, it flowers in summer. Parsley is divided into root and leaf varieties. Leaf parsley is further divided into smooth-leaf and curly-leaf types. Curly parsley is used in soups and salads. Smooth-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 dry periods, regular watering is essential! During the cultivation of root parsley, keep the plot weed-free.

• Early varieties of root parsley are sown in beds in October to November, late varieties 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, light soils. Optimal pH is 6.

• Over-fertilization with nitrogen causes rust susceptibility. Does not tolerate salinity. Never fertilize beds with manure before planting! High nitrogen content causes poor storage quality. During the growing season, fertilize with complex NPK fertilizer with lower nitrogen content and avoid using fertilizers containing chloride. Cererit or Kristalon can be used for fertilization.

• Parsley is attacked by leafhoppers that suck on the plants. Affected 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 plants that 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 root rot of parsley is black rot. It is transmitted by seed and mainly by post-harvest residues. It spreads in wet weather and through watering on root crowns. Protection consists primarily of sowing quality seed treated with fungicide.

  Aphids or spider mites are eliminated with Pirimor or Decis.

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

  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 period is October.