Parsley is the most popular condiment. It is added to various dishes and is also used for making healthy cocktails. Root varieties are special, since you can eat not only the upper part, but also the root itself.
What parsley is called root
Root parsley is one of the subspecies of curly parsley and belongs to the family of umbrella crops (celery).
This plant is biennial culture. Its height reaches one meter. In addition to the outlet, it forms powerful root, which is quite often used in cooking as a seasoning.
Stems are erect and branched. The leaves are shiny, dark green, triangular in shape. The fruit is longitudinally shaped like an egg.
Growing features
Many people believe that growing this plant is quite troublesome and do not want to plant it in their area. But this statement is not true. Since taking care of parsley not much different from the usual varieties.
Significant differences can be considered:
- This type of parsley has a root, then it must be planted in a permanent place of growth. You cannot transplant it.
- All gardeners know that seeds must be soaked in water for two days before planting. But this only applies to leafy varieties. Root seeds do not need this. Because during soaking, potassium is washed out of the seeds, and this will weaken the plant.
Experienced summer residents recommend holding the seed in order for shoots to appear faster under hot water for about 30 minutes... Then dry and proceed to planting.
Popular varieties of root parsley
Today trading networks offer a fairly large assortment of seeds of different varieties. Among the most popular types, the following should be noted.
Sugar
Sugar - the species is one of the oldest representatives. It was bred back in 1950. The ripening period is 95 days from germination.
The mass of root crops reaches 75 gram... Famous for its versatility, it has delicious roots and foliage.
Among the disadvantages, it should be noted the short shelf life.
Alba
This late-ripening variety is very popular with summer residents. Maturation occurs through 170 days after the first shoots appear. Bushes are powerful and spreading.
The mass of one fruit is 230 gram... From one square meter, you can get 5 kilograms of a good and long-lasting crop.
Yielding
A mid-season variety, the ripening period takes 130 days... Lush, spreading bushes with fragrant leaves.
The fruits are cone-shaped weighing 120 grams and 23 centimeters long. The roots can be eaten both raw and canned. The yield is 3.5 kg per square meter.
Landing before winter
As you know, parsley can be planted in autumn and spring... According to many gardeners, it is planting before winter that is the best option. The planted seeds give much better germination. The plant grows strong and resistant to many diseases.
Choosing a landing site
This point is quite important. This plant will grow well in sunny open areas... Although a small shade will not be an obstacle to harvesting. As for the soil, it should be slightly acidic and loose.
The crop should be planted in places where tomatoes, onions, potatoes or cabbage had previously grown. But after the parsley itself, these crops can be planted after 3 years.
Soil preparation
Preparation should begin at the end of October... The first step is to dig up the soil and apply fertilizer to it. As for the landing time, everything here will depend on the weather.
Sowing should be started when the soil freezes 2 centimeters deep... As a rule, this is the first half of November. Seed material do not pre-soak, otherwise the plants will not rise to frost.
When buying seed, you should pay attention to the expiration date.
Landing technology
- In the ground, it is necessary to make neat trenches the distance between which there should be 15 cm.
- Then the furrows are sprinkled with slaked lime.
- Parsley is sown to the depth 1.5 cm.
- The trenches are filled up and compacted.
- To protect against wind and cold, the soil must be mulched. Humus is used as mulch.
During planting before winter, you must use twice as much seed... Since not all seeds can sprout in the spring.
Plant care rules
As mentioned above, taking care of root parsley is not a big deal.
It should consist of the following items:
- Top dressing... It is one of the most important components of care. It is necessary to apply fertilizers several times a season. It should be noted that the plant loves mineral fertilizers. The first time feeding is applied after thinning. To do this, it is necessary to dilute 30-40 grams of complex fertilizer in ten liters of water. After the second thinning, 10 g of ammonium nitrate and 50 g of potassium salt or ash dissolved in a bucket of water are added. And the third time is fertilized with wood ash. The rate is one glass per 1 m2.
- Watering... 3-4 waterings are considered the norm per season. In the case of dry summers, their number increases. At the same time, 2 buckets of water per 1 m2 are poured into the soil. Irrigation should be done in the morning or evening.
- Thinning... It is carried out twice. The first time after the appearance of 1-2 leaves, the distance between the plants should be 3 cm.And the second time after the formation of 5-6 leaves so that the distance between the plants is 10 cm.
- Loosening the soil must be carried out after each watering or rain.
- Regular weed removal will ensure the likelihood of pests and diseases.
Growing parsley root is not a complicated and interesting process. It is only important to follow the basic rules of planting care and then any summer resident can get a rich harvest. Which will delight him not only in the warm season, but also in winter.