Parsley is a delicious and nutritious herb that can be used in many different recipes. It’s easy to grow, but you need to know how to harvest parsley correctly in order to get the most out of your plants. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the best tips and tricks for harvesting parsley!
When to Harvest Parsley
Parsley is ready to be harvested when the leaves are full and green. You can harvest parsley at any time during the growing season. However, if you wait until the end of the season, the leaves will be tougher and less flavorful. Therefore, it’s best to harvest it in late spring or early summer when the plant is most lush.
How to Pick Parsley
Parsley is a popular herb that you can add to a variety of dishes since it has a fresh, slightly peppery flavor. It’s great that you can easily grow it at home, and harvesting parsley only takes a few minutes.
Here are some tips on how to harvest parsley:
- Cut the stems about an inch above the ground. This will encourage new growth and prevent the plant from becoming leggy.
- Use a sharp knife or gardening shears to avoid crushing the stem.
- Harvest in the morning before the sun gets too hot. This will help preserve the flavor of the leaves.
- Wash the parsley thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris.
- Dry the parsley by wrapping it in a clean towel or placing it on a drying rack.
Enjoy your freshly harvested parsley!
How Often Can You Harvest Parsley?
You can harvest parsley multiple times throughout the growing season. In fact, many gardeners find that harvesting parsley regularly actually encourages the plant to produce even more leaves. Just be sure not to take too much at once—remove no more than one-third of the plant’s leaves in any given harvesting session.
How to Store Parsley
Once you have harvested your parsley, it is important to store it properly. Parsley is best stored in a glass jar filled with water. Place the jar in the refrigerator and change the water every few days. This will keep your parsley fresh for up to two weeks.
Parsley can also be frozen for long-term storage. To freeze, trim the parsley and place it in a freezer bag. Remove as much air from the bag as possible and store it in the freezer for up to six months. When you’re ready to use the parsley, simply thaw it out in the fridge.
How to Dry Parsley
Drying parsley is a great way to preserve this herb for later use. It’s best dried in the oven or dehydrator.
To dry in the oven, preheat to about 200 degrees F and spread parsley on a baking sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes or until crisp.
Dehydrating parsley is very similar, but you’ll need a dehydrator set to 95 degrees F. Again, spread parsley on the dehydrator tray and dry for 15 minutes or until crisp. Be sure to check on your parsley often, as it can burn easily.
When it’s done, store in an airtight container away from light and moisture. Enjoy your dried parsley for up to six months!
Conclusion
So there you have it—everything you need to know about harvesting parsley. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to enjoy this delicious herb all year long! Have you ever grown your own herbs before? If so, what has been your favorite to grow? If you’re new to gardening, you can also try growing chives.
FAQ
Do you eat parsley stems?
Yes, you can eat parsley stems, but they have a more bitter taste than the leaves. Depending on your preference, you can chop them together with the leaves and use them in various recipes.
Can you freeze parsley?
Yes! Parsley is one of the herbs that freezes quite well. Simply chop it up, put it in a freezer bag, and pop it in the freezer. It will keep for several months this way.
Does parsley grow back every year?
Parsley is a biennial herb, meaning it takes two years to complete its life cycle. In the first year, parsley plants grow leaves, and in the second year they flower and set seed. After that, the plants die. This means that if you want a continual supply of parsley, you need to sow new seeds every other year.
Does parsley grow back after cutting?
Yes, parsley grows back after cutting. To encourage regrowth, cut parsley plants back to about an inche above the soil line. New growth will emerge within a few weeks.
Therefore, you can typically harvest parsley once every two to three weeks. For more tips on how to harvest parsley without killing the plant, check out our full article above.
