How to Grow Parsnips – The Gardening Register

Parsnip Click here for Parsnip Troubles
Sowing Time	Planting Time	Soil	Spacing	Cutting / Lifting Time	Storage	Cooking
Parsnips require very little attention and the roots can be left in the ground all winter and dug up as required but if you store some in November you will still have some when the soil is too frozen to dif them up. Do not attempt to replant thinnings as they won’t take well. Keep an eye on weeds and water well in dry weather. Harvest as the leaves begin to die down in autumn. They will taste better if left until after the first frost.
Mid February to end April	n/a	For long specimens ensure the soil is well prepared and stone-free. Any reasonable soil will do in a sunny or light-shaded site. Dig well in Autumn but don’t add manure or compost.	Sow three seeds together and thin out to one plant 6ins apart and 12ins between the rows.	Mid October to mid March	Can be kept in a plastic bag in the fridge for up to two weeks. To freeze: trim, peel and wash, cut into cubes, blanch for 5 mins and freeze.	Top and tail and remove any damaged areas. Scrub (don’t peel) and remove the hard core in older roots. Parboil for 2mins and roast. Alternatively they can be boiled and mashed.

Parsnip Troubles
Trouble	Symptoms	Treatment	Prevention
Black Rot	Blackened Carrot Roots seen on stored carrots	Burn diseased roots	Store properly and do not use the same land for carrots next year
Clayburn	Not serious but will produce blackened roots	None	Dig out any clay in the soil before sowing
Fanging	Forked roots	None	Don’t add manure or compost prior to sowing. Don’t make beds too firm
Parsnip Canker	Blackened Parsnip roots which crack leaving the root to rot	None	Lime the soil and don’t sow too early.
Small Roots	Small parsnips	None	Dig soil deeply and break up any clay by adding well-rotted manure or compost
Sclerotinia Rot	Mouldy Roots found on stored parsnips	None	Ensure roots are firm and disease free before storing
Splitting	Split roots caused by heavy rain. These parsnips will not store successfully	None but can still be eaten	Water regularly in dry weather and apply a mulch to conserve moisture
Swift Moth	Hollowed-out roots caused by caterpillars	None	Use Chlorophos to control
Violet Root Rot	Mouldy roots and yellowing leaves	None	Rotate crops