Propagating Parsnip

If it looks like a white carrot, it’s a parsnip (Pastinaca sativa). While not as commonly grown in the United States as it is in some parts of Europe, the parsnip is a versatile vegetable that can be prepared in many of the ways one prepares potatoes. Parsnips require a long, cool growing season, which precludes its growth in the country’s warmer regions. While seeds may be planted in spring in cooler regions, it’s best to allow them winter chill by planting in fall and harvesting in spring. Sow parsnip seeds in an area that receives full sun, when the soil temperature is sure to remain below 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Gardening fork or spade
Compost
Dibble

Instructions

- 1
  Prepare the soil in the parsnip bed by digging up the soil so that it’s loose and friable to a depth of at least 20 inches. This allows the parsnip lots of room to grow deep and strong.
- 2
  Add 3 to 4 inches of aged compost to the bed and blend it with the top 6 to 8 inches of soil.
- 3
  Create 18-inch deep planting holes using a dibble or other similar tool. Space the holes 3 inches apart. The experts at Floridata suggest that if you want straight, well-shaped parsnips, fill the planting hole, to within 1/2 inch of the surface, with a fine-grade planting mix. Set two or three parsnip seeds on top of the soil filling and cover them with 1/2 inch of soil.
- 4
  Water the parsnip bed carefully to avoid washing the seeds away. Keep the soil moist to a depth of 10 inches during the propagation period. Seeds should germinate within three weeks.

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