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The parsnip was almost forgotten. Today it is popular with housewives and celebrity chefs alike. Root vegetables are versatile, tasty and healthy. How do you grow your own in the garden?

In a nutshell

  • traditional root vegetables
  • suitable for self-cultivation
  • hardy, resistant to diseases
  • Taste nutty, spicy, slightly sweet
  • usable for soups, purees, salads and more

The vegetable

Parsnips were almost forgotten. Today they are back in cookbooks and on restaurant menus. The white to yellowish thick roots are versatile. They combine a variety of positive properties, are rich in minerals and healthy, easy to grow, store well and are resistant to diseases. With their pleasantly spicy, slightly nutty taste, parsnips are perfect for preparing stews, soups, purees and salads.
The parsnip belongs to the umbelliferae family (Apiaceae). It consists of a pointed, white-yellowish root with a thick head and herbaceous leaves. By the way, the parsnip is also known as mutton carrot or bog root. The vegetable is easy to care for and robust. Do you want to grow parsnip roots in your own garden? We show you what to look out for.

location

If you want to grow root vegetables in the garden, choose a sunny to partially shaded location.
For the successful cultivation of parsnips, the soil must

  • relaxed
  • wet
  • profound
  • be nutritious.

The substrate may be sandy or contain a small amount of clay. Heavy, compacted soil affects the development of root vegetables. Only round, short varieties such as - White King - Kral Russian thrive on heavy soil. Before planting, loosen the soil thoroughly and mix in some compost. Avoid adding horse manure. This attracts the carrot fly and changes the taste of the parsnips.

sowing

Sow parsnip seeds two centimeters deep in the prepared, well-loosened bed between the beginning of April and the end of May. Root vegetables germinate very slowly. In order not to lose sight of the seedlings, marker seeds with fast-germinating plants are recommended. Radishes or lettuce are suitable as marker seeds. Chop the soil between rows regularly and keep the bed weed-free.
After 20 days the seeds will germinate. When the young plants appear, they can be separated at a distance of 15 to 20 centimeters. The distances are necessary because the leaves of parsnips are stronger than those of carrots.

Parsnips can also be grown on the windowsill.

Tip: In cold regions you should prefer the parsnip plants in seed trays on the windowsill. Plant the young plants in the prepared bed after the ice saints.

plant neighbors

Experienced gardeners know that the development of the parsnip can be positively or negatively influenced by plants in the immediate vicinity.

Suitable neighbors:

  • radish
  • radish
  • salad
  • peas
  • beetroot
  • onions
  • marigolds

Unsuitable neighbors:

  • Parsely
  • fennel
  • celery

maintenance

Fertilize

A compost application when preparing the parsnip bed is sufficient for a good development of the root vegetables. Additional fertilizers are not required.

Compost is the ideal fertilizer.

pour

Watering the plants is particularly important in the summer months and when there is a drought. Parsnips that are too dry only develop short roots. Loosen the soil regularly. Prevent waterlogging.

To harvest

The white roots are ready for harvest at the end of October. It is worth leaving the vegetables in the bed until after the first frost. The cold allows the aroma to unfold even better. The tasty roots can be harvested well into winter. Carefully loosen the soil with a digging fork to remove the parsnips without damaging them.

Notice: As with carrots, parsnip leaves can cause skin irritation in sensitive people. Protect yourself with gloves when harvesting.

To store

Root vegetables are best stored in a frost-free cellar.
Fill buckets with damp sand. Tuck the roots all the way in. Make sure the sand doesn't dry out. Parsnips become tough due to dryness. Alternatively, the root vegetables can be stored in the refrigerator or on the balcony. Wrap the roots in a damp linen cloth.

diseases and pests

The parsnip is uncomplicated and resistant to diseases and pests. Soft rot caused by bacteria rarely occurs. The best protection against this disease, which also affects carrots, is well-loosened, weed-free soil. Like carrots, celery and parsley, parsnips can also be infested by the carrot fly. Protect your plants with vegetable fly nets. The mixed culture with onions, garlic and chives prevents infestation with carrot flies.

Appropriate Varieties

Due to the increasing popularity of the white roots, interested parties can now find a large selection of old and new types of parsnips on the market. These varieties are suitable for growing in your own garden:

White King

  • excellent for raw consumption
  • pleasant consistency

Medium length white

  • very cute
  • suitable for baby food
  • Aromata - nutty, sweet
  • tender, light yellow roots

Turga

  • very frost hardy
  • long roots

Kral Russian

  • short, rounded roots
  • pleasantly sweet

propagation

Source: Rasbak, Pastinaca sativa subsp. sativa flowerbuds, Pastinaak bloemeknoppen(1), edited from Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0

The parsnip is a biennial plant. After harvesting, leave two to three parsnip roots in the ground. They will bloom next year. The flowers look beautiful and magically attract bees. The seeds are easy to harvest. Store the parsnip seeds in a dry and dark place. They do not keep for long and must be applied the following year.

frequently asked Questions

Why is it that parsnips develop thin, multi-legged roots?

Heavy, dense soil leads to the formation of short, thin, multi-legged roots. Before planting, loosen the soil thoroughly and add compost. Let the bed sit for a week before ordering. For optimal preparation of the bed, we recommend green manure with phacelia or lupins.

What can be the reason for the parsnip leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing of the leaves is often caused by a lack of magnesium. A too shady location or waterlogging can also lead to discoloration of the foliage.

Can you eat the parsnips raw?

The healthy vegetables are suitable for raw consumption. Remove the leaves and shell and clean the roots with clean water. Enjoy the parsnip like a fresh carrot or prepare a tasty salad with it.

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Category:

Vegetable garden