Growing Parsnips

Family: Umbelliferae
Genus and Species: Pastinaca sativa

Climate

Parsnips require a long growing period but can still be grown in many climates. In warm climates, plant parsnips in the fall for a spring harvest. In cool climates, plant them in the spring for harvest the next spring. A hard frost or over-wintering will increase the flavor of parsnips significantly.

Seed Sources:

Soil

Parsnips need very deep soil. In fact, the soil conditions parsnips require is very similar to carrots: deep, loose fertile soils that have good water-holding capacity and a pH of 6.0. Well-drained sandy loams, peat, and mucks are ideal for parsnips. Prepare the bed to a depth of 2' if possible. Make sure to remove rocks and mix in plenty of compost. Parsnips thrive in a soil rich in potassium and phosphorus, so work in a dusting of wood ashes (potash) for good measure. Parsnips grow best in soil that is 60°-65°.

Spacing

Space parsnips so there is 4" inches between the plants in all directions. Plant parsnips in a zig-zag pattern in beds that are 2'-4' wide. Don't make you beds wider than you can comfortably reach across.

Direct Seeding

Direct seeding parsnip seeds is the easiest way to plant parsnips. Sow seeds 1/2" deep and 1" apart in rows 4" apart.

Seeding For Transplants

Transplanting parsnips is not normally practiced.

Germination

These seeds germinate best in soils around 60°F-75°F.
Germination will take 21 days.

Transplanting Into the Garden

Make sure the parsnip seeds are kept evenly moist during the germination period. Use a straw mulch or wood chip mulch after parsnips are established to help retain moisture in the beds and control weeds. Parsnips have long roots and can tolerate some dry conditions but benefit from an even water supply.

Watering

Harvesting

In warm climates, where parsnips were planted in the fall, the parsnips should be mature in the spring. In cool climates, parsnips started in spring are ready the spring of the following year.

Even though parsnips can be harvested at the end of the growing season, they don't develop their delicious, sweet and nutty flavor unless they go through hard frosts or over-winter in cold winter temperatures.

If you plan to overwinter your parsnips, mulch them to protect them from severe coldness.

Loosen the soil around parsnips before attempting to remove them. Some parsnips can grow to be quite long and loosening the soil will help significantly.

Post-Harvest Handling

Wash and dry parsnips thoroughly.

Storage

Parsnips can be stored for several months. Clip the leaves off the parsnips. Parsnips will store for 24-26 weeks at 32° and 90%-95% relative humidity.

Diseases

Parsnip canker.

Pests

Root Aphid, Carrot Fly Maggots, and Celery Leaf Miner Maggots.

Comments

Keep the soil surface moist while germination takes place until the parsnip seedlings emerge. Thin parsnip seedlings to 4" after they are established.

The trick for growing monster parsnips is to plant them in conical holes. Drive a crowbar into the soil to a depth of about 2 and rotate the bar in a circular motion until the hole is about 6" across the top. Fill the hole with a mixture of sand, peat moss, and sifted soil, leaving a slight depression at the top of the hole. Place two or three sprouted parsnip seeds in the depression then cover with 1/2" of sifted sphagnum moss and water. Space the holes 8" apart in the bed.

References

Bradley, F. M. and Ellis, B. W.(Ed.). (1992), Rodale's All-New Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening: The Indispensable Resource for Every Gardener, Emmaus, Pennsylvania: Rodale Press.

Oregon State University, Parsnip , Commercial Vegetable Production Guides, Last modified 2003-01-03, http://oregonstate.edu/Dept/NWREC/parsnip.html [1], Accessed 2003-6-19

Smith, E.C. (2000), The vegetable gardener's bible: discover Ed's high yield W-O-R-D system for all North American gardening regions., Storey Books: Pownal, VT.

Garden Guides, Parsnips, Garden Guides, Last Modified 2001, http://www.gardenguides.com/Vegetables/parsnips.htm [2], Last Accessed 2003-06-19