Wouldn't you like to add the taste of fresh herbs to your savory cold season dishes? Well, there is no reason to regret the arrival of cold weather because some of our favorite kitchen spices, like parsley, are hardy and grow all year round. You can overwinter parsley in the garden. In cool temperatures it slowly but steadily produces crisp, fresh leaves.
Is parsley hardy?
One of the most commonly grown culinary herbs, parsley is a popular ingredient in recipes ranging from baked goods to savory dishes and smoothies. And of course it is also known as a pretty and practical side dish! Since he is two years old, he is a natural when it comes to theto survive winter. Whether you grow it in a pot, in a sheltered spot in the garden, or even on a sunny windowsill indoors, you can enjoy its tasty leaves all year round.
We'll show you how you can enjoy the fresh taste of parsley all year round! As a hard-working companion plant, it is welcome anywhere in the garden as it naturally repels pests. And their pretty foliage also makes an attractive addition to beds, borders and containers! At low temperatures, production slows, but leaves continue to grow - even with a light cover of snow on the ground.
Cold Weather Growing Tips
Here are a few tips for getting the most out of your cold weather harvest:
- Parsley is easy to grow from seeds. Always harvest the outer leaves first. Never pick more than 1/3 of a plant's leaves at a time - they provide energy for the roots.
- Extend the life of the plant (a little) by removing flower stalks in a timely manner.
- In areas with a lot of cold precipitation, pots must have excellent drainage. Remove saucers and place the pots directly on the ground so that they do not sit in water.
- Parsley happily self-sows. Let one or two plants bloom and sow them - this way you always have a constant supply of seedlings for the garden or containers.
Overwinter parsley in the garden
- Choose for theOverwintering your plantsa location that is protected from dry winds and offers full sun.
- When planting, enrich the soil with plenty of organic material such as compost or old manure to ensure vigorous plants.
- Protect the roots and crown with a thick layer of straw mulch. This keeps the roots moist and protected from frost and thaw.
- RemoveYou in the fallup to 1/3 of the longer shoots on the outer edge of the plant. This allows more sunlight to reach the center of the plant where new growth develops.
- Leave 3 to 5 cm at the base of the cut stems to encourage new side shoots.
- If nature doesn't provide enough moisture, water lightly in the morning - and only when temperatures are above freezing.
- Plants that are harvested also benefit from regular fertilizer applications, but only at half strength. A monthly application of diluted fish fertilizer or a water-soluble general purpose fertilizer provides the necessary nutrients.
- To ensure that the leaves remain viable even in sub-zero temperatures, you should provide a protective cloche. Some cloches have adjustable ventilation to control temperature and humidity. With these tips you can easilyParsleyoverwinter in the garden!
Buckets and pots for outside
Place outdoor pots in a sheltered location where they receive as much light as possible. Place the containers in corners, against a fence or foundation, or under deciduous shrubs and trees. Cover the entire surface of the container with a thick 8 to 10 cm layer of mulch. Protect roots from freezing by wrapping pots with bubble wrap or insulating containers with layers of pine branches or straw.
Water only when the top inch of soil is dry and fertilize monthly with a half-strength dose of fertilizer. Protect plants with a cloche if frost is imminent. In areas with high winter rainfall, you should remove saucers or bowls from under the pots to prevent them from standing in water.
Overwinter potted plants indoors
In colder zones, you can dig up some plants and bring them indoors in pots or containers. Dig it up carefully, making sure most of the long taproot is intact. Use containers deep enough to accommodate the roots and ensure pots have drainage holes and a thick layer of seepage water. Use a light, rich potting mix.
After placing them in the pots, water them well and place them in a slightly shady spot for a few weeks to allow them to recover from transplanting. Before a frost, you should bring the pots indoors and place them in a cool, sunny window. With sufficient light, the plants can survive the fall andsurvive winterand slowly form new leaves. Water lightly when the top inch of soil is dry and fertilize monthly with a diluted fertilizer. The quality of the leaves decreases as the plant's life cycle ends.
