Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Most European carrots are from varieties developed in the Netherlands, England, and France, the latter
having developed itself into a virtual carrot-breeding empire in recent decades (seen in varieties like
'Nantaise'). Pale yellow carrots faded from popularity over the course of the 20th century and are now
mostly used in soups.
PARSLEY
Petroselinum crispum
There are two main types of parsley: root (Radicosum group) and leaf (Crispum group). Leaf parsley
is common worldwide as a seasoning; its leaves are of three sorts: flat and small, flat and large, and
curly. Root parsley is thought to have been bred from “transitional” varieties used for both their leaves
and roots.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
• 20 well-formed plants
• overwintering strategy
• support poles and string
POLLINATION NOTES
Parsley is insect-pollinated, and insects love parsley blossoms. Leaf and root
parsley varieties, being of the same species, will cross with each other. Isolation distances of 300-500
ft. (100-150 m) have worked for us, though the greater the distance, the better; otherwise, use an isola-
tion cage with hoverflies, carrion flies, or common houseflies.
Parsley seeds
GROWING FOR SEED
All forms of parsley are biennial and in the first year are grown for seed in the
same way they would be grown for food. Harvest as few leaves as possible for plants slated to be
grown for seed, to support good root growth. Plants are theoretically hardy to zone 3, though overwin-
tering success outdoors is less reliable below zone 5, even with ground cover. Plants are most suscept-
ible early in the second year, when they start to send out new growth, only to be damaged by a late
frost. To be safe, dig the plants around the time of the first autumn frost and overwinter them in the
root cellar. Remove all stems except those arising directly from the center of the root's crown. Plant
roots out with 12 in. (30 cm) spacing between rows, 10 in. (25 cm) spacing within the row. Leaf pars-
ley can also be selected for larger roots, which would potentially improve drought tolerance and vigor.
