"It will only cost you… Parsley" by Arenea Williams Sitting on a stoop, mid-summer in Alloway Township brings me a much-needed tranquil rest. What is there to see? To hear? To Smell? Taunting winged-creatures of all types, an herb garden stares back at me as it shares its newest fragrance from blossoms. This perennial friend is the complete opposite to the nearby fastidious gardens. Bountiful parsley plants add a rich texture to the view. Parsley plants can also allow a youngster to lend his ears as you plant, cultivate or harvest. Parsley was used by the Greeks to decorate burial tombs and therefor believed it should never enter the home, or death falls upon the household. The Romans gave today’s garnish its beginning; they used parsley on plates to protect food from contamination. Although many plant parsley now, it was once thought that only witches and pregnant women could grow parsley properly. An Italian folktale, Parsley {Petrosinella}, acclaims such acts from ogresses who grew it and cast spells on a woman that picked the parsley; it resembles traditional Rapunzel folktales. Exceeding its history, parsley plants often become encumbered by pests such as the Parsley Worm. Although pests are considered a nuisance, Parsley Worms are beneficial in the long run; it transforms to a butterfly which will pollinate your flowers. The Parsley Worm is about 2 inches in length, dipped in a mint green hue, and painted with black stripes and yellow dots. These so called “pests” are the larval caterpillar of the gorgeous Black Swallowtail Butterfly.So, if you can spend a few dollars on some parsley, you can hatch a butterfly. When a Parsley Worm is sighted, house it in a butterfly house (see the link for how to make a butterfly house). Add some sprigs of Parsley and a stick that can lean towards the top of the home. Store the house out of direct sunlight and watch the caterpillar cycle to Black Swallowtail Butterfly. The Swallowtail will need some time for its wings to dry, but soon it will attempt to extricate itself from the home. Gather up your goodbyes and watch your project frolic through the sky. Materials: -Parsley Plant -Stick -Patience Learn more by visiting the below links: Folktale, Parsley {Patrosinella}: pitt.edu/~dash/type0310.html#basile General Instructions for Hand Raising Butterflies: faq.gardenweb/faq/lists/butterfly/2004044550021472.html Butterfly House: butterflyschool.org/teacher/makehouse.html
Posted on: Mon, 29 Jul 2013 22:32:58 +0000
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