Parsley

Hardy annual in the North. A shining star of Jason Kafka’s wholesale program. He grows Double Curled, Krausa, and Plain Leaf, moving a few hundred bunches per week and says that if you have the market, these may bring more money per row foot than any other crop. When these hardy biennials bolt, he gets a bonus by using the umbels as filler for flower bouquets.

Culture: Very hardy. Parsley seed is short-lived; test old seed before sowing. Very slow to germinate (up to 30 days). Minimum germination temperature 40°, optimal range 50–80°. Soaking seed 8–12 hours will hasten germination. Do not allow soil surface to dry out.

About medicinal herbs: Archeological evidence dates the medicinal use of herbs back 60,000 years to the Neanderthals. 85% of the world’s population employ herbs as medicines, and 40% of pharmaceuticals in the U.S. contain plant-derived materials. Fewer than 10% of higher plant species have been investigated for their medicinal components. Interest in traditional herbal remedies continues to grow.

Statements about medicinal use of plants have not been evaluated by the FDA, and should not be used for the diagnosis, treatment, cure or prevention of any ailment. Before using or ingesting any medicinal plant, consult a healthcare practitioner familiar with botanical medicine.

Takinagawa Burdock and Resina Calendula, as well as oats, mammoth red clover and alfalfa in the Farm Seed section, also have medicinal uses. Medicinal herbs such as black cohosh, licorice, and many more are available as plants, and shipped in the spring with orders from our perennial plants warehouse.

Culture: Some herbs are customarily grown from divisions because they cannot come true from seed, such as scented thymes and flavored mints. Some require fall sowing of fresh seed, such as sweet cicely and angelica.

Using herbs: Drying herbs at home is not difficult. Whole leaves retain their flavor at least a year. To substitute fresh herbs for dried in cooking, use triple the dried quantity called for in a recipe.