Parsley Gardening
Parsley (Petroselinum hortense) is a biennial herbal spice, commercially cultivated in high altitude areas . It is grown as an annual for its attractive and aromatic leaves. The erect growing parsley reaches a height of 1 to 1 1/2 ft and is with dense bright green leaves which are finally divided and curled.
Flowers are yellow or yellowish green in compound umbels and appear in the second year of planting and the flowering stalk reaches up to a height of 100 cm. Fruits are 2-3 mm long, crescent shape, and conspicuously rigid. Seeds are brown colored, smooth, ribbed and ovate.
A rich source of Vitamin C, Vitamin A and iron, parsley also yields fatty acids and an essential or volatile oil. The essential oil of the leaves is considered superior to that from the seeds and is used in condiments and seasonings. Parsley seed oil is used in fragrances for perfumes, soaps and creams.
It is a cool season, hardy crop which flourishes well both in temperate as well as tropical climates. It can also be produced under glasshouse or polyhouse. It thrives best in loamy as well as moisture retentive soils with proper drainage.
Propagation is mainly through seeds. About 50-100 gm of seed is sufficient for one acre. Seeds are sown in February- March in the mid-hills of Uttaranchal which germinates in the month of April. Soaking of seeds in hot water for 24 hr reduces the period required for germination.
A fine seedbed is required. Forest soil, leaf mold and compost can be used for preparing a seed bed. Seeds are sown in 60 inch raised beds with three or four rows, 18 to 22 inches apart on each bed. The usual procedure is to finish the soil after plowing and disc harrowing with bed shapers. Rich moist soil with good drainage and a pH of 5 to 7 is preferred. Cover seeds no deeper than one-quarter inch with leaf mold, sand or peat to avoid crusting.
Field is prepared by plowing, harrowing and leveling. Organic manures are mixed with top soil.
The seedlings raised in nursery beds are transplanted during July in the main field. Two-month-old seedlings are ready for transplanting. These should be transplanted at a spacing of 50 cm -- 50 cm.
Application of 15 tones of farmyard manure, 65kg N, 40kg of P and 25kg of K/ha gives better produce. Nitrogen should be applied in split doses.
Crop should be irrigated immediately after transplanting. Later, irrigations are given at 15€"20 days intervals depending on weather and moisture level of the soil.
Shallow and clean cultivation is recommended for parsley. Hoeing and weeding are done as and when required to keep the crop weed-free.
Parsley harvesting is labor intensive, with hand labor the preferred method and Parsley must be cut at least 1 to 1 1/4 inches above the crown if multiple cuttings are desired
The harvested leaves are sorted and tied in bundles or small bunches and packed in baskets and then sent to the nearest market for fresh marketing. For the fresh market, bunches of parsley should be washed and any faded or yellowing leaves discarded. For export marketing leaves are dried and these dried leaf flakes are marketed
Flowers are yellow or yellowish green in compound umbels and appear in the second year of planting and the flowering stalk reaches up to a height of 100 cm. Fruits are 2-3 mm long, crescent shape, and conspicuously rigid. Seeds are brown colored, smooth, ribbed and ovate.
A rich source of Vitamin C, Vitamin A and iron, parsley also yields fatty acids and an essential or volatile oil. The essential oil of the leaves is considered superior to that from the seeds and is used in condiments and seasonings. Parsley seed oil is used in fragrances for perfumes, soaps and creams.
It is a cool season, hardy crop which flourishes well both in temperate as well as tropical climates. It can also be produced under glasshouse or polyhouse. It thrives best in loamy as well as moisture retentive soils with proper drainage.
Propagation is mainly through seeds. About 50-100 gm of seed is sufficient for one acre. Seeds are sown in February- March in the mid-hills of Uttaranchal which germinates in the month of April. Soaking of seeds in hot water for 24 hr reduces the period required for germination.
A fine seedbed is required. Forest soil, leaf mold and compost can be used for preparing a seed bed. Seeds are sown in 60 inch raised beds with three or four rows, 18 to 22 inches apart on each bed. The usual procedure is to finish the soil after plowing and disc harrowing with bed shapers. Rich moist soil with good drainage and a pH of 5 to 7 is preferred. Cover seeds no deeper than one-quarter inch with leaf mold, sand or peat to avoid crusting.
Field is prepared by plowing, harrowing and leveling. Organic manures are mixed with top soil.
The seedlings raised in nursery beds are transplanted during July in the main field. Two-month-old seedlings are ready for transplanting. These should be transplanted at a spacing of 50 cm -- 50 cm.
Application of 15 tones of farmyard manure, 65kg N, 40kg of P and 25kg of K/ha gives better produce. Nitrogen should be applied in split doses.
Crop should be irrigated immediately after transplanting. Later, irrigations are given at 15€"20 days intervals depending on weather and moisture level of the soil.
Shallow and clean cultivation is recommended for parsley. Hoeing and weeding are done as and when required to keep the crop weed-free.
Parsley harvesting is labor intensive, with hand labor the preferred method and Parsley must be cut at least 1 to 1 1/4 inches above the crown if multiple cuttings are desired
The harvested leaves are sorted and tied in bundles or small bunches and packed in baskets and then sent to the nearest market for fresh marketing. For the fresh market, bunches of parsley should be washed and any faded or yellowing leaves discarded. For export marketing leaves are dried and these dried leaf flakes are marketed
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