Sunday 6 April 2014

Wangi Scarecrow Competition

The Wangi Community Garden Committee is organizing the Wangi Scarecrow Competition to raise funds to develop the Wangi Community Garden.

Dates and details for the competition will be available soon.

For more information go to Wangi Scarecrow Competition 

We hope that this will be a great community event supported by the local community.

Parsley

Parsley


Pretroselinum crispum
Varieties

Curly Leaf Parsley                                                   Flat Leaf Italian Parsley

Bi-ennial growing 20-30cm. Usually flowers in the second year and dies off.

Propagation.  Germination is slow 3- 5 weeks. Sow seeds in spring, summer and autumn but best sown with soil temperature between 10-30oC

Garden Cultivation  Parsley requires about 6 hours of sun a day to do well.  Parsley prefers a humus rich well drained soil. Fertilise monthly.  Best planted in borders. Parsley can also be grown in pots

Companion Planting Parsley attract lady birds so grow it near any plant that needs protection from aphids. Adds strength and improves the flavour of Tomatoes and Asparagus. Protects against carrot fly.
Compatible with: Carrots, Chives, Tomatoes, Asparagus, Onions and Roses
Avoid growing with: Potatoes, mint or weak partners such as young Lettuce

Harvest
Harvest in 9-19 weeks. Start picking leaves as soon as plants are established. The more you pick Parsley the denser and better its growth will be. Cut stalks from outer part of plant

Storage
Parsley can be used fresh or can be frozen.  Parsley Pesto is an ideal storage method. 

Culinary. - In foods and beverages, Parsley is widely used as a garnish, condiment, food, and flavouring. Excellent in savoury dishes.  Complements the taste of garlic. Add Parsley just before the end of cooking.  This maintains more nutritional and medicinal value.
For a detailed nutritional list refer to USDA website.   http://ndb.nal.usda.gov

Medicinal - Parsley may assist to stimulate the appetite, improve digestion, increase urine production, reduce spasms, and increase menstrual flow.  High in potassium.

Arts and Crafts
Parsley symbolises Festivity
The leaves and stems of Parsley will produce a light green dye.

Contraindications
Warfarin interacts with Parsley. Taking Parsley along with Warfarin might decrease how well Warfarin works to thin the blood.
Diuretics interact with Parsley. Parsley might cause the body to lose too much water.
Aspirin interacts with Parsley.  Aspirin might increase your sensitivity to parsley if you are allergic to parsley.
Avoid Medicinal use during pregnancy.

Further information
For recipes and more information on how to use Parsley go to:- http://wangicommunitygarden.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/blog-post.html

References
Website: acc essed on 25 October 2013
Website accessed on 25 October 2013 http://www.gardenate.com/plant/Parsley
Herbs, How to grow them, How to use them” Tomnay, S, 1988, Leisure Magazines, Silverwater, Australia
Herbal Treasures”, Shaudys, Phyllis V., 1990, Garden Way Publishing, US
Companion Planting”, Franck, Gertrude, 1983, Thorsons Publisher Ltd, Munchen
Jekka’s Complete Herb Book” McVicar, J, 1995, Hodder Headline Australia Pty Ltd, Rydalmere, Australia
Basic Companion Planting”, Bigwood, D.,1991, Shepp Books, Hornsby, Australia