Parsnip
Vegetable
Direct sow from the last frost date to mid-summer. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 10-25°C (50-75°F). Seeds take 14-21 days to germinate.
Parsnip
How to Grow:
Vegetable
Timing:
Direct sow from the last frost date to mid-summer. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 10-25°C (50-75°F). Seeds take 14-21 days to germinate.
Starting:
Sow seeds 5mm-1cm (¼-½”) deep. Cover seeds with compost and/or put row cover over planting area to shade the soil and conserve moisture. Thin to 7-10 cm (3-4″) apart in rows 45-60cm (18-24″) apart.
Growing:
Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8. Prepare ground as for carrots, digging deeply to loosen soil prior to planting For even longer parsnips, you can dig or form holes 60cm (24″) deep. Weed carefully and keep watered. Contact with parsnip leaves causes a rash in some people, so harvest and weed with long sleeves and gloves. GerminationDays to maturity: From direct sowing.In optimal conditions at least 60% of seeds will germinate. Usual seed life: 1 year. Per 100′ row: 440 seeds, per acre: 128M seeds.
Harvest:
The flavour of parsnips is best after a couple of good frosts. Dig parsnips from late summer into the winter as needed. Protect from freezing in the soil with a thick straw mulch if it is a cold winter. Parsnips keep better in well-drained soil. The average family will be well supplied with a 6m (20′) row.
