Parsnip

How to take care of Parsnip

Parsnips like deep, cool, rich soil. Ideally, add fresh, well-digested manure in the fall to enrich the soil in your vegetable garden. To prevent the roots from splitting, loosen the soil deeply and add sand for good drainage. Sow from February to June in rows 30 to 40 cm apart, or sow out. This plant poses no particular problems, apart from the fact that seed germination is a bit slow (about 3 weeks). We recommend soaking the seeds before sowing to a depth of about 2 cm. You can achieve faster emergence by covering your seedlings with a winter sheet. When the plants are about 10 cm (3-4 leaves), you should thin out the planting, leaving one plant every 15 cm (in a row), with about 20-25 cm between each plant. The soil should be kept moist, mulching in cold weather and removing weeds in spring. Harvest starting in September with a spade, taking care not to damage the roots. This plant is very resistant to the cold and overwinters in the garden without problems. The winter frost softens them and gives them their delicious flavor. Store the roots in a cool shed or cellar for the next season.