Why Try Growing Parsnips
Growing parsnips rewards your patience with a sweet, nutty root.1 The plant, Pastinaca sativa, is grown as a biennial, meaning a two-year plant.1
Parsnips are a root crop similar to carrots.4 They are popular root vegetables with sweet roots.5
In the kitchen, they turn common meals like soups and stews into something special.4 They suit a roasted root vegetable mix, and they hold up well on their own, even sliced into fries.4 Roasting brings out their sweet, nutty, earthy side.1
Pick the Spot
Choose a place with full sun or partial sun.1 Parsnips have moderate water needs.1
Each plant grows 1–3 feet tall and spreads 1–3 feet, so leave room.1 Aim for neutral soil pH, the scale that shows how acidic or alkaline soil is.1
The plant is also deer-resistant and cold hardy.1
Planting Time
Parsnips need a long growing season.1 Plant too late and the roots will be small.1
They are winter vegetables that like cool weather and can take as long as 180 days to mature.6 Since they are best harvested after a few fall frosts, sow early enough to give them that long season.1
Growing Care
Keep watering moderate, since that matches what parsnips need.1
Parsnips are cold hardy, so cool autumn nights suit them.1
Harvesting Parsnips
Wait for frost before you dig. Parsnips are best harvested after a few fall frosts.1 They actually improve in flavor after a good frost.1
Loosen the soil around each root before you lift it, so it comes out whole. Then roast, simmer or slice your harvest.
Budget Tips
Start with one short row in your sunniest bed. Spend on seed, not gadgets.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Sowing late. The roots will be small.1
- Digging too early. You miss the flavor boost that comes after a good frost.1
- Expecting a quick crop. Parsnips can take as long as 180 days to mature.6
Safety Notes
Follow the label on any garden product you use, and keep it away from children and pets. Check the label for rules that protect pollinators and waterways.
Keep little ones clear of the hot pan when you cook parsnip fries.
Quick Checklist
- Pick a spot with full sun or partial sun.1
- Aim for neutral soil pH.1
- Leave room for plants that spread 1–3 feet.1
- Sow early, because parsnips need a long growing season.1
- Plan for up to 180 days to maturity.6
- Keep watering moderate.1
- Wait for a few autumn frosts before harvesting.1
- Enjoy the sweet roots roasted, in soups or as fries.4