Growing parsnips takes patience, but the payoff is sweet. These pale roots thrive in cool weather and actually improve in flavor after a good frost.1
A parsnip is a root crop similar to carrots, with a rich, slightly sweet flavor.5 Its botanical name is Pastinaca sativa.1 Here is how to sow, tend, and lift them safely with the whole family.
Why Grow Parsnips
Parsnips are an amazing addition to a roasted root vegetable medley, and they hold up well on their own.5 They are also just the thing to turn common meals like soups and stews into something special.5
Growing Parsnips Step by Step
Time your sowing
Parsnips need a long growing season.1 If they are planted too late in the season, their roots will be small.1 Sow early enough to give the roots that long season.
Choose a spot
Choose a bed with full or partial sun and neutral soil.1 Clear away weeds and loosen the ground before you sow. Then label the row so little helpers can find it.
Water with care
Parsnips require moist but not wet soil for uninterrupted root development.7
Wait it out
Parsnips are winter vegetables that like cool weather and can take as long as 180 days to mature.6 Other estimates are shorter, with harvest 95-100 days after sowing.7
Growing them is not much different from growing other root vegetables.6 Plan for the longer wait, and check your seed packet for your variety.
Harvesting Parsnips
Parsnips are best harvested after a few fall frosts.1 The sweetest roots are lifted after heavy frosts in late autumn.7
Loosen the soil gently around each root before you pull. Use a garden fork with care, and keep children and pets well back from the tines.
Common Mistakes
- Planting too late. Late planting gives small roots.1
- Expecting a quick crop. Some parsnips take as long as 180 days to mature.6
- Overwatering. Parsnips need moist but not wet soil.7
- Digging too early. Flavor improves after a good frost.1
Family-Friendly Tips
Give children a job. They can label the row, write the sowing date in a notebook, and become your official frost watchers.
Wash hands after gardening. Store tools out of reach of small children and curious pets.
Budget and Safety Notes
Keep costs low by spending on good seed and using tools you already own. Start with one short row to learn how your soil behaves.
Quick-Reference Checklist
- ☐ Don't sow late, or the roots will be small.
- ☐ Pick a bed with full or partial sun and neutral soil.
- ☐ Keep the soil moist but not wet.
- ☐ Plan for a long wait before harvest.
- ☐ Wait for a few fall frosts before lifting the roots.