As the two most popular members of the carrot family, I decided that they would be next.

Their care is much the same. On the coast both are full sun plants. The further inland the more afternoon shade they like.

Cilantro is an annual whose seeds and leaves are used. Coriander (store bought ground) refers to the powdered seeds. Cilantro/ coriander is tall, averaging 2-3ft, with a long taproot, which makes pot growing near impossible. The standard variety, purchased in transplant form, is great from December (on the coast, February with night protection inland) to mid April in full sun. After April, if a continuous harvest of fresh is desired, then seeds of slow bolting (going to seed) varieties should be planted at month long intervals till November or December.

Soil preparation is relatively simple. The soil should be broken up and soft a good foot to foot and a half deep. Use a standard organic compost and mix it about 50 - 50 with the existing garden soil, unless very sandy, then add more.

Parsley comes in several different varieties. The can be divided in to two groups: flat leaf and curly. Parsley has a taproot, however it can be grown in a pot. Parsley is a biennial (lifespan : 2 years) that is treated as an annual. Parsley grows leaves the first year and seeds the second, making the leaves tough and bitter. Parsley with stands the heat better than cilantro.

In a pot (nothing smaller than 10" around) use an organic potting soil with a good nitrogen source like guano, chicken manure, or worm castings. In the ground compost is added at the same ratio (50:50) as for cilantro. Start in December and plant every two months for continuous harvest.

Both can be started from seed. I highly recommend peat pellets or peat pots, as the whole unit is planted and doesn't damage the taproot which can cause the plants to go to seed. If grown in the ground both will reseed themselves prolifically.

Water regularly and don't let them go limp, they may perk up but the leaves can toughen, becoming bitter. Feed them with a high nitrogen fertilizer to encourage leaf growth.

Inland cilantro goes to seed in the summer, August and September being to hot for it, even in the shade. Parsley will need full afternoon shade (11am to sundown) and cool moist soil, but it will continue to produce.

When harvesting cilantro, height is the determining factor. Cilantro should be 1 1/2 - 2ft tall. It can be harvested smaller, but the slightly older leaves flavor lasts better in food preparations. Coriander seeds are harvested when brown and dry. Parsley (both kinds) is harvested according to the size of the leaves and their color. Lighter, younger leaves are good for salads or fresh use, while darker leaves are pretty garnish and do better in sauces as the flavor is stronger and doesn't fade as easily. Take no more than a 1/3 of the plant.

Coriander can be preserved whole or ground. Cilantro leaves are dried or chopped small and frozen in ice cube trays. Parsley can be treated the same way.

When the plants are finished allow them to self seed. Cut the dead plants below the soil line, allowing the roots to decompose and maintaining the soil structure. ( This is only done if there is no evidenceof root infection. If the plant was stunted or weak rip out the roots and change your growing area.) One final note on the growing. These plants don't like each other. Members of the carrot family don't get along. Let us anthropmorphise them. The soil is the parents. The nutrients, the inheritance. The carrot family? They are the greedy estranged siblings. And as in all disfunctional families, they exude substances to stunt each other so that they can snatch more nutrients for themselves. Always plant them as far away from each other as possible.

Cilantro is susceptible to aphids. A good spray of water can knock many off the plants. Ladybird beetles (ladybugs) will eat them. I have not seen caterpillars on them, but occasionally I see borer holes in the seeds, but I never see the creature. Parsley also gets aphids. Treat them the same as for cilantro. But the main enemy of parsley is swallowtail butterfly larva. The larva can decimate parsley to the stalks and, if hungry enough, to the ground. A spray application of Bt (Bacillus thurengensis) is a good safe way to kill them. Bt attacks the larva of both moths and butterflies. It is safe for pets and humans, but as always wash before using.

Parsley and cilantro areused in so many different ethnisc cuisines that they are a must in any herb garden.