Why Grow Parsnips From Seed?
If there is one veg that is so worth the effort it is the humble Parsnip. Sow in spring for a harvest bonanza in the autumn, Suttons offer reliable varieties such as ‘ Gladiator’, ‘Tender & True’ is a high yielding, organically bred seed. Parsnips are full of Calcium too.
When To Plant Parsnip Seeds?
Sow parsnip seeds early to late spring when the soil starts to warm. They prefer to be directly sown into prepared soil. Sow the seeds in drills with two to three seeds per station. The ‘station’ is the point the seeds are placed in along the drill. Sow 2-3 seeds per station.
How To Grow Parsnip From Seed?
- Parsnips can be a little temperamental when it comes to germination and can benefit from ‘Chitting’ to germinate. Place them on damp tissue or damp cottonwool and seal them in Tupperware in a warm dark place. Remember to label and date.
- It’s important that Parsnips are grown on soil that is free draining and free of stones. If you have particularly heavy on stony ground, try Parsnips in a raised bed or add plenty of organic matter to the ground in advance of sowing.
- It may also help to warm soil with a cloche once Parsnips seeds have been sown. Tunnel cloches can cover a drill /line of Parsnips.
- Make sure you avoid crowding Parsnips, thin out to one plant to the spacing advised on the seed packet, thin to strongest plants.
- A top-dress of an organic phosphorus feed, which helps promote root growth, raked into the soil as the Parsnips put on growth will be beneficial.
- Parsnips will enjoy a good frost, so if you can leave them in situ until they experience some cold weather that will markedly increase their flavour. Keep the immediate growing area free of weeds through the season. If you are lucky enough to have a glut of Parsnip they store very well. Put them in a cool dark place buried in the sand.
For more info on growing these tasty roots, check out our 'Grow your own Christmas dinner' article – handy hints for all your Christmas veg.
