Cow Parsley is also called Wild Chervil, Wild Beaked Parsley, Queen Anne'sLace or Keck. It is a native plant in the umbellifer family (Apiacea or Umbelliferae) just like: White Lace flower, Anise, Hogweed, Hemlock, Dill, Chervil, Cumin, Parsnip, Lovage, Parsley, Celery, Wild Carrot, Ground Elder and Fennel. Some of the species in this family are poisonous e.g. Hemlock, Dog Parsley, Spotted Hemlock, Dead Man's Fingers and Water Hemlock. Cow Parsley is very common in the wild in the Netherlands and Belgium. In spring, the plants create fields of white, umbels of tiny flowers in verges. The plant blooms with beautiful, white umbels made up of lots of tiny flowers. The stems of Cow Parsley are hollow, ribbed and light green. The stems can be used to make whistles. The leaves are light green and strongly feathered. Like other species in the umbellifer family, Cow Parsley has a deep-growing taproot.
Cow Parsley is edible and especially the young, tender leaves can be used in salads, as seasoning for e.g. soups, sauces, omelettes, stews, casseroles, wok dishes and all kinds of other dishes. The fine, white flowers of Cow Parsley are also edible and can be used as a garnish in e.g. salads, soups, sauces and all kinds of other dishes. Cow parsley is very similar in appearance to the poisonous plants Hemlock and Dog Parsley. Cow Parsley blooms from April till June. This plant is very popular with bees, hoverflies, butterflies and other beneficial insects. This plant loses its leaves in winter, but the fresh, green feathered leaves return in spring. Hardy perennial. Height: 100 - 150 cm.
Indoor sowing: March - April
Outdoor sowing: September - November
Germination: 28 - 42 days
Germination temp.: - 4 - + 4 and 18 - 22 °C
Sowing depth: 1 mm
Planting distance: 30 - 35 cm
Distance between the rows: 30 cm
Plant position: sunny - half shadow
Flowering: April - June
Sow the seeds from the beginning of March indoors at a temperature of 18 - 22 °C for 14 - 21 days. Keep the temperature as even as possible and don't let the temperature drop especially at night. After this, a cold period is needed, the temperature should be between -4 - + 4°C for 14 - 21 days. Put the seed trays in the fridge for 14 - 21 days for this purpose. (Stratify) After the cold period, let the seeds slowly come to room temperature. Sow in separate modules that are easy to transplant. Use well moistened potting soil mixed with vermiculite. Sow the seeds shallowly (1mm) deep and don't cover them, but gently press them into the soil. Keep well moist. After this period, the plants can be hardened off for 10 - 14 days from early May, as soon as there is no chance of night frost by putting the seedlings outside in a sunny spot during the day. After this, put the plants outside in a sunny, moist spot with semi-shade if necessary. Keep 30 - 35 cm between plants.
Sow outdoors from September so that the seeds first go through a natural warm and then a cold period before germinating. Sow thinly and sparingly and don't cover the seeds, but gently rake or press them into the soil. Germination time outdoors depends on temperature, weather and other conditions. Germination can take 28 - 42 days. Keep the seeds well moist and weed-free. Give the plants about 30 - 35 cm space. Keep about 30 cm between the rows. Cow Parsley can be grown in all types of soil, but the soil should be moist. Place Cow Parsley in a sunny spot, possibly in partial shade. However, a sheltered spot is necessary.
Cow parsley is a native plant that requires little maintenance. Sufficient moisture and weed removal is sufficient. Cow parsley is a plant that self-seeds very easily, which also makes it very suitable for a naturalised garden. It is also an important food plant for bees, butterflies, hoverflies and other beneficial insects. Cow Parsley is very similar in appearance to the poisonous plants Dog Parsley and Hemlock. But unlike both these poisonous plants, Cow Parsley is edible. Especially the leaves of this plant are eaten.
