1stop Organic Gardening

Lots of people like really tidy, neat gardens, but I tend to let my organic garden get a little messy – especially late in the season when I’m waiting to collect seeds. The seeds need to be mature before harvesting them, and the plant they’re from can become untidy while I’m waiting for the seeds to mature.

See what I mean?!!!

The plants from left to right are parsley, yarrow and curry plant. This photo was taken just before I started harvesting the parsley seed. There’s nothing left of the leafy part of parsley that we’re all familiar with.

Parsley doesn’t go to seed in it’s first year of growth, as it is biennial – which means the plant will flower and go to seed in it’s second year of growth, usually in Autumn (fall).

Unless you cover the seed heads with a stocking or something similar, you’ll end up with volunteer parsley plants close to the parent plant. But I don’t mind that at all. I kind of like the messy look, especially when it comes to herbs.

Try to harvest your seeds mid-morning after any moisture has evaporated, but before the intense heat of the day. Store them in a dry cool place. And one more tip – make sure you label them – when you collected them, where and what they are. It can be tricky looking at a bunch of seeds wonder what they are and how long you’ve had them.

And parsley is one of my must have plants in my organic garden and my kitchen. I use it in just about every dinner I make.

Happy Organic Gardening, Healthy Living…

Julie

Filed under: Herbs, Uncategorized on March 17th, 2008