PARSNIPS are a must-grow in the winter garden. Puréed, casseroled, chipped or roasted, these unmistakable roots keep us fuelled in these chillier months, but how can you ensure success on the plot? Here’s my growing guide:
Being biennial, parsnips are geared towards creating a sizable root in their first year, ready to flower the next. With parsnips taking well over 30 weeks to mature, this is a long-haul crop. Like their carrot relatives, parsnips are slow to germinate. Caused partly by irregular seed maturity leading to immature seed embryos, it’s unsurprising that suppliers legally need to sell us seed with only a 65% germination rate.
“Intersow parsnips with crops that are quick to mature”
Cold soils also hinder germination – at 7°C/45°F, parsnips can take four weeks to emerge. Still, don’t be disheartened – my checklist on page 20 describes plenty of ways to boost germination. Also, remember to sow later in the year,
