Usually (every year but this) our parsley goes to seed in mid-July. I harvested a basket of parsley this morning--still big flat leaves, no sign of seed heads. I am thrilled! If there is a parsley shortage this winter, I can supply frozen chopped parsley to all and sundry. For preserving parsley I find that freezing damp leaves chopped fine is so much better than trying to dry it. Dried parsley basically tastes like grass. The basil and marjoram are going bonkers, too. Mother Nature is making up for the nasty winter we suffered through. Anyone else having a longer season than usual?
@marlingardener yes! Despite the crazy weather. I am awash in green beans, tomatoes, squash, garlic, basil, carrots, etc. In New England we are still at the height of harvesting time so i can't say yet if it will be a longer season than usual. Enjoy your crop!
I shall have to wait and see if that turns out to be true for us. I can tell you that we are 2-3 weeks later than last year. Our begin was so slow that for a few weeks nothing was going on here at all...so, it was a late start, and now things are catching up. This is to say that our season began late, so I cannot yet say if it is longer or not.
I have forgotten about a spot in the garden where parsley used to grow every year without me doing anything. All summer long I had just one tiny production but I got busy with many other things and forgot all about it. Just as the weather was starting to get cold, my parsley sprang like out of nowhere and now I'm asking anyone I know if they want fresh parsley because there's too much. We had a good rain and that's all it took. It was a wonderful surprise. And I must say that the trees have more fruits that I can handle, as well. I don't think I've ever made so many smoothies. The season is ending strong, although it was a rather late start for me, as well.
Denisac, parsley chopped fine freezes well. I make up small amounts of chopped parsley and use it in stews, as a sprinkle on chicken breasts, chops, etc. The taste is the same, although full leaves don't freeze well, so you don't have the parsley "look". Many members are mentioning that they are having more fruit that usual--apples, blueberries. What fruits are overwhelming you?
marlingardener They overwhelm me in only the best ways because I love smoothies and my family definitely enjoys all the work that I put into making them daily. And my mother enjoys making apple pies the most. At the moment I have a lot of apples, too, but also pears and grapes. Yesterday I even made a smoothie with grapes, bananas, pears, and apples and it was great. Nothing fancy but I love it. I already have my freezer full of blueberries, raspberries and strawberries so I'm getting excited for this winter. I will definitely freeze parsley. I never tried it because I also grow it in pot indoors but it would be a shame for all to go to waste. Thanks for the advice! Have a wonderful week!
I guess you are growing cilantro? I always think of the curly leaved variety of parsley because that is my favorite. It also does well. Nice to know I can freeze it. I usually dry mine on low in the oven. Mine went to seed this year.
Nightowl, we don't grow cilantro because neither of us likes the taste. We have the flat leaf Italian parsley because it has more taste than the curly type. Parsley hasn't gone to seed yet so it looks as if we will have parsley potatoes at Christmas dinner!
Today I got a call from an acquaintance that only contacts me when she wants something, asking for some parsley. I told her I had frozen minced parsley in the freezer, and could share. No, she wanted fresh parsley. I pointed out it was the end of January and we had had several hard freezes, and the parsley was done. She actually got a little huffy--"Well, I thought you'd have some. Now I have to go to the grocery and buy parsley." I gently pointed out that since I was such a disappointment, she might try finding other gardeners to supply her many wants.
Are you serious?? You need to get call display on that phone of yours and not answer when she calls! Or better yet, block her number!! No one needs a person like that in their life!
Oh Jane. You could become my idol. Y’see, in the same situation I do not know if I could find the same etymological eloquence as you. Great story, this. I’ll bet we all have stories similar. I am quickly done with folks like that.
She's the exception, Cayuga. To be fair, I was warned about her being a "taker" but I figured she would at least be nice about it. Wrong! Netty, I just tell her, "No, I don't have any" and that is before she asks! Even she will eventually get the point.
That is lovely that you can still have your parsley. My seeds just poked their heads up today under a grow light. I agree with the drying of parsley. I take the stems off of mine, place a big pile on a piece of plastic wrap and roll it up like a log, then into a freezer bag for the freezer When I want some I peel back the wrap, chop off what I need, and put it back in the freezer. This is my favourite way to freeze my dill, mint and other herbs. My kids used to call them the bag of "cigars" in the freezer. Do you place your chopped parsley into containers?
Melody, I do place the chopped parsley in very small containers, about 1/4 cup little plastic containers. They fit in the door of the freezer, and, like you, I dig out what I need and put the rest back.
