Growing Parsnip

Pastinaca sativa : Apiaceae / the umbelliferae family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec

Not recommended for growing in USA - Zone 5a regions

  • Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 6°C and 21°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 8 - 10 cm apart
  • Harvest in 17-20 weeks. Best flavour if harvested after a frost..
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Swiss Chard (Silverbeet), Capsicum, Peas, Potatoes, Beans, Radishes, Garlic
  • Avoid growing close to: Carrot, Celery, Brassicas

Your comments and tips

16 Aug 12, Suzi (Australia - tropical climate)
I live in SE QLD where we don't have frosts. Would putting them straight into the frig after harvest help convert the starches to sugars to any degree?
16 Aug 12, adam (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Suzi. I don't think it works that quickly. But Parsnips taste fine as they are, without the added sweetness. I mash them together with carrots, butter and a little salt and black pepper. Yum. You can also cook them with a little brown sugar, stir fried in a pan.
28 Feb 14, sandy stephenson (Australia - temperate climate)
you can put your Parsnips in the freezer over a couple of days and the result will be the same as a good frost
20 Aug 12, Ron Rose (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I live in Louis Trichardt but cannot find seeds here, is there anywhere in Polokwane where these may be available?
11 Oct 12, Susan Myburgh (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where in South Africa can I buy parsnips seed or teh carrots?
04 Nov 12, santa best (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
where can i get parsnip seeds live in barberton area?
21 Feb 13, ian hurst (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
where can I buy seeds in the western province?
02 Mar 13, Louise (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
For heirloom seeds you can contact the Gravel Garden. details below www.thegravelgarden.co.za 208 Irene ave Somerset West
03 Mar 13, Marilynn Bezuidenhout (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
My daughter brought me seeds from UK & they grew quite well after a few teething problems, not knowing the seeds at all. Now I have for the past 3 years been trying to buy parsnip seeds in SA & just cannot find any. Please where can I get & which seed firm packs them? In the Rustenburg area where I live, parsnips are not easy to find for cooking either.
21 Feb 16, Egon Laursen (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi Marilynn You can get parsnip seeds from Kirchhoffs seeds also try www.ballstraathof.co.za 011 7942316
Showing 31 - 40 of 102 comments

How many days will take for Parsnip seeds to germinate? Two weeks gone still no signs of germination. Cheers Venkat

- venkat

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