I am always looking for something unique or different to grow every year.

The seed catalogs call me with pictures of vegetables, fruits, and plants in general that have never graced my yard or local environment.

While looking through the catalogs, I am always careful not to grow something that is invasive or that I have heard has a negative impact on the environment.

This year’s unique plant came to me by pure chance. I chose the plant in the most scientific way. I just opened the catalog, closed my eyes and went there it is. To my surprise it was a plant I had heard of from a friend of mine. How lucky I was to pick this plant, and have a friend that knew this plant at the same time. This meant no recipe searching or going what do I do with this, so I am set with my plan to try something new.

Hamburg-rooted parsley or Petroselinum crispam is a biennial. This means it takes two years to grow. The first year the plant grows its vegetation while the second year the plant flowers. This “herb” looks like a white carrot that tastes like parsley and can be found as an ingredient in many European style stews and soups.

This “herb” likes to be planted in a garden whose soil has been well prepared with an addition of an all-purpose fertilizer. Before planting the seeds, place them in the freezer for three to five days and then soak in warm water for eight hours. Try to keep the seeds in the dark while soaking. This will aid in seed germination. Plant the seeds to a depth of ½ inch in partial shade to full sun. Keep the soil moist and in three to eight weeks little spots of green will begin to appear.

The Hamburg-rooted parsley is ready to harvest the second year of growth. The roots are edible and about eight to 10 inches long and two inches in diameter. They can be eaten raw, stewed, mashed, fried, and roasted. The vegetation, that can grow two to three feet in height, can also be eaten in salads and used in stews and soups in place of parsley.

So this garden season give the Hamburg-rooted parsley a try. It can give your garden and your table some international flare. Until we blog again, Life is too short to grow tomatoes, pepper, and potatoes alone, but instead take a hoe outside your gardener’s comfort zone.

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