When to Seed Parsnips
Parsnips are a fairly frost tolerant cool weather crop that can be planted for spring or fall harvest. They can even be overwintered for an early spring crop. They can be directly seeded in the spring two to four weeks before your last frost date, and again in late summer or early fall when temperatures begin to cool back down. Hot weather will cause poor germination and poor quality roots, so for most gardeners, it’s a good idea not to grow this crop in the summer.
Where to Plant Parsnips
Plant your parsnips in a location with full sun, well-draining soil. Amending your beds with some well-aged compost is a good idea, but avoid anything too high in nitrogen. Ensuring that your soil is loose enough for parsnips is key. Use a shovel to loosen the soil in your planting area and be extremely thorough. Remove any rocks, or hard, clumpy soil from the area. You want the quality of the soil to be fluffy. If you do have very clay soils, take the time to mix in organic matter, sand, compost, etc. into the soil.
Growing Parsnips
Plant parsnips in a shallow trench about ½ inch deep and 1 inch apart, in rows eight to ten inches apart. Lightly cover your seeds with soil but take care not to pat the soil down. Parsnips are very sensitive to soil compaction. Water extremely well after planting to ensure good germination. Parsnips do tend to be slow to germinate and can take two weeks or more to sprout. As your parsnips start germinating, thin them to their mature planting distance of three inches apart. Keep your parsnips well-watered throughout their growing season and keep the area well weeded, as parsnips do not like competition. Mulching can help keep the soil consistently moist as well as combat weeds. As your crop matures, take care to cover the shoulders of the parsnips that may be exposed. Exposure may cause the crown to become bitter.
Harvesting Parsnips
Harvest when the parsnips reach one to three inches in diameter, usually four months after planting. Loosen the soil around the roots with a garden fork before pulling them to avoid breakage.
