Description
Key Facts
- The type of parsley most often used in restaurants.
- Easy to grow
- Takes about 3 months to grow
- Available from Amazon
Background
When you grow Italian parsley or plain leaved parsley then this is the type of parsley that is used most often restaurants.
- Originally from the central Mediterranean region (Cyprus, Southern Italy, Malta, etc.) but often specifically associated with Sardinia.
- Fresh, ‘grassy’ earthly flavour, but stronger than French or curly leaf parsley.
- Ideal as a garnish for fish and meat dishes, and salads.
- Days from seed to harvest – about 70 to 90 (3 months)
- About 30 to 50 cm high
Example Italian parsley Recipes
Chefs tend to like Italian parsley not only because of the better flavour but also because it’s quick and easy to ‘wash & chop’.
An excellent flavoured parsley with plain foliage Italian or plain leaved parsley can also be used as a garnish for fish and meat dishes, and salads.
Probably the most popular herb used for its flavour. Perfect for salads and garnishing.
Typical recipes:
- Spaghetti Aglio E Olio (see video)
- Parsley Pesto Pasta
- Parsley, Olive Oil, and Garlic Sauce
How to grow Italian parsley at home
The seeds are easy to plant and you can grow parsley either outdoors in spring / summer or indoors in pots any time of the year.
Outdoor Planting:
If you want to grow parsley outdoors or on the balcony you will need to
- Sow it between early spring and the start of summer
- In well-drained soil in sun or partial shade.
Please note that parsley tends to be slow to germinate, and can take anything up to 6 weeks.
If you are using pots then sow the seeds thinly across a 25cm pot filled with soil, cover with a 1cm (½in) layer of compost and water. Leave in a cool spot to germinate and make sure the compost doesn’t dry out.
Germination can take up to six weeks, then when they are large enough to handle, thin out seedlings, leaving about 2cm (¾in) between plants.
Aquaponic or Hydroponics Parsley
Parsley is ideal for hyroponic or aquaponic growing.
A key advantage is that it will have a great yield and low nutrient requirement.
Starting aquaponic or hydroponic parsley
The most difficult element will be propagation from seed.
If you want to ‘cheat’ then an easy solution is to buy a ready made parsley plug – the problem (especially in places like the UK and USA) is that most plugs will be of the French or Curly Parsley variety.
Propogation from seed will take up to 6 weeks, and you can either use the option of growing parsley in pots (as above) or an easier option could be to use organic moistened propagation cubes like to ones available from Amazon
Transplanting Parsley plants
Once your seeds have germinated and are showing leaves, then you can move them into your hydropnic or aquaponic system.
Once you’ve moved them it will take about 20 to 30 days before you start using the parsley ingredients.
Minze Vries –
Nice & easy to grow but does tend to take up a lot of space for little flavour