Parsley Problems

History

• The early Greeks placed crowns of parsley on winners of Isthmian and Nemena sports games to honor them. Parsley was viewed with suspicion in medieval times; they felt the slow germination gave them time to travel to hell and back seven times. Parsley was used as funeral herbs by the ancient Greeks. It represented a symbol of death or oblivion to them. Romans used the herb to cover up the smell of alcohol on their breath after orgies.

Slow Germination

• Germination of the parsley seed takes two to five weeks. Soaking the seeds in warm water for up to 24 hours helps speed the germination process somewhat. It is important to mark the parsley rows since the germination time is so slow. The herb appears grasslike in texture when it finally sprouts, although it does have two seed leaves that are narrow and opposite each other.

Pests

• Cabbage loopers may eat holes in the parsley leaves. They are green caterpillars with yellow stripes on the back of the insect. Remove any of these insects once you spot them. Carrot weevils eat the foliage of parsley plants. These pests are brown, 1/5 inch long and have a hard shell. Apply garden fleece to prevent these insects. Identify the large parsleyworm by its bright green color, black bands and yellow dots on its body. It can grow up to 2 inches in length. This pest typically attacks parsley plants that are already in stress by eating the leaves and stems. No pesticides are necessary unless more than one-quarter of the foliage and stem sections are eaten.

Preservation

• Parsley loses much of its flavor when it is dried or frozen. Therefore, it is best to enjoy the herb straight from the garden. Although it doesn't winter well in cold climates, it can tolerate light frost. Leave the herb in the ground after the frost kills the foliage. It may sprout again in the spring and be edible -- although have a flavor that is more bitter. The plant dies after sending up a seed stalk.