Parsnip
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Parsnip is a tasty root vegetable that’s best grown in deep, free-draining soil.
When to plant/sow in zone:
Requirements:
At least 3-4 hours of direct sun a day; deep, light soil
Soil:
Deep, friable, debris-free soil. To prepare heavy soil, break up clods, then fork through some fine compost. Don't add manure.
How to start: SEED: Best sown direct in the ground, 10mm deep, 15-25cm apart, in rows 40cm apart. Germinates in 14-28 days; be sure to keep moist.
How to grow: When seedlings appear, start thinning them to 15-25cm. Allow parsnips to grow all summer, watering when the soil is slightly dry. Apply seaweed solution monthly.
When to harvest: Wait until the first frost, which turns parsnips even more sweet and tender.
Troubleshooting:
Whitefly; carrot fly; bacterial leaf spot; bolting
Wondering what to plant when?
Use our planner to create a planting calendar for your climate zone
View Planting Guide
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