Parsley root is reminiscent of the taproot of a parsnip. Its aroma is more intense and strong and has a slightly sweet note. Since the vegetables are grown in greenhouses, the season is extended. Things look different in the garden.
When is the season for parsley roots?
The main harvest season for parsley roots is from November to February, but cultivated versions are available in supermarkets all year round. As a winter vegetable, it grows well in well-drained soil in sunny locations and can also tolerate frost.
How root parsley grows
Behind the parsley root is the species Petroselinum crispum subsp. tuberosum, which is available in supermarkets all year round. The main season extends from November to February, which makes the plant a winter vegetable. Occasionally the harvest takes place as early as October.
Growth
The umbelliferous plant is a biennial plant that produces parsley-like and aromatic-smelling leaves in the first year. During the growing season, the plant stores nutrients in its roots. They grow and serve to survive so that the species can sprout next spring. Flower and fruit development takes place in the second year. The taproots are then no longer suitable for harvesting as they lose taste and ingredients.
Influence positively on earnings
Root parsley is cultivated outdoors or in a greenhouse. Sowing takes place directly outdoors between March and April, because then you make optimal use of the winter soil moisture. The later you sow the seeds, the more restricted the roots will grow and the crop yields will decrease. It takes between 15 and 20 days for the first cotyledons to appear. The seeds germinate rather irregularly and slowly.
Sowing correctly:
- Make sure the row spacing is 30 centimeters
- Provide seven centimeters of space between the plants
- Press seeds one to two centimeters deep into the ground
- Keep substrate evenly moist
- pulling weeds regularly
Claims
As soon as the roots grow, a coordinated water supply is necessary. The herbaceous plant requires loose and well-drained soil. This not only promotes growth, but also contributes to a better harvest. If the subsoil is heavily compacted, waterlogged or stony, the taproots often show distortions. The location offers sunny and warm conditions.
Care
You should water the plants regularly until mid-June so that the soil is moist but not wet. Remove unwanted weeds because the parsley root is considered less competitive and quickly becomes overgrown. Frost poses no danger to the roots.
Harvesting Notes
You should avoid picking leaves during the growing season. The more leaf mass a plant loses, the more restricted root growth is. The excavation of the mature survival organs begins in late autumn. You can harvest winter vegetables fresh throughout the winter. The plant is in a break at this time, so growth stagnates and the taproots retain their freshness until spring.
Tip
Choose a frost-free day and loosen the soil along the rows with a sow tooth. Pull the root parsley out of the soil by the leaves.
