How to Pick Fresh Parsley

Parsley, a flavorful herb used to spice a variety of dishes, is grown for its green leaves, but is harvested by the stalk. The leaves are removed after harvesting. This plant continues to produce leaves until the first frost, so you can take several cuttings from one plant. Harvest the leaves and stalks properly to avoid killing the plant; only harvest from strong plants and don't cut excessively.

Things You'll Need

• Sharp knife or scissors

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Wait to pick fresh parsley until the roots are developed and the plant appears strong.

   • 2

     Bunch the stalks and leaves together in the palm of your hand.

   • 3

     Snip off stalks of parsley with a clean, sharp knife or a pair of scissors, starting from the outside of the plant and work to the inside.

   • 4

     Cut the stalks close to the ground -- about 2 inches from the ground -- since this will encourage new growth throughout the season.