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Parsnip
Pastinaca sativa
Slow-growing sweet roots that peak after the first frost.
Sun
Full sun
Water
Weekly
Soil
Deep, stone-free, pH 6.5–7.0
Spacing
10 cm apart
Days to harvest
120–180 days
Hardiness
Zones 3–9
Seasonal Calendar
H
SH
S
S
S
H
H
H
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Sow Harvest
The method
- 1
Use fresh seed
Parsnip seed loses viability fast — always use current season packets.
- 2
Sow slowly
Sow in warm soil; germination takes up to 4 weeks. Mark rows with radish.
- 3
Thin firmly
Thin to 10 cm — crowded roots stay tiny.
- 4
Harvest after frost
Cold turns starch to sugar. Lift as needed all winter.
Common problems
Canker
Grow resistant varieties like 'Gladiator'. Rotate crops.
Forked roots
Clear stones and never use fresh manure.
Good neighbors
OnionRadishPea
Field tips
- “Cover the crown with straw after frost — parsnips store best in the ground.”
- “Roast with honey and rosemary — a winter classic.”