Parsley Gigante Italia

Parsley Gigante Italia: variety and characteristics

Parsley Gigante Italia (Petroselinum crispum) is a biennial herb of the Carrot family (Apiaceae). This variety produces strongly aromatic parsley with large, smooth, dark green leaves. Resistant to leaf diseases.

The plants reach about 50 cm. tall.

The most popular herb in the Western world, parsley has a bright, unmistakable flavour that unites and enhances the flavours of any dish.

Parsley is the most widely used herb in Bulgarian cuisine — rich in vitamin C, iron and aroma. Leaf parsley can be cut repeatedly, while root parsley also gives an aromatic root.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 87%
• Seeds per packet: 1530–2070 pcs (3 g)
• Seed origin: France
• Sowing: February – September; direct
• Flowering: June – September
• Harvest: March – November
• Position: sun to partial shade

When to sow Parsley Gigante Italia

Parsley Gigante Italia seeds are sown in February – September. The plants flower from June to September. Harvest takes place from March to November. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Parsley Gigante Italia

• Sowing method: direct
• Depth: 1 cm
• Spacing: 15–20 cm
• Germination: 14–28 days at 15–20 °C
• Position: sun to partial shade

Sow the seeds directly outdoors from mid-spring, 1-2 cm To speed up germination, the seeds can be soaked in warm water for 24 hours before sowing. Deep, 25-30 cm apart, as soon as the soil is workable. Thin the plants outdoors to 10 cm. apart from each other, when they are about 5 cm tall. Parsley grows best in a mostly sunny spot with fairly rich, moist, well-drained soil.

Soak the seeds for 24 hours and keep the soil moist — parsley is slow to germinate. Sow in early spring or before winter.

Harvest and use

Cut the outer leaves — the plant produces new ones until winter.

Frequently asked questions

When should Parsley Gigante Italia be sown?

The recommended months for sowing are February – September. Sowing method: direct.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 1530–2070 seeds, pack size 3 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 87%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.

Why is parsley so slow to germinate?

The seeds contain essential oils that slow germination — 2–4 weeks. Soaking for 24 hours helps.