Parsnip

 

Family:

Umbelliferae, other member include carrots, parsley, celery, fennel.

 

Type of Soil:

High organic matter, neutral soil (ph 5). Don't put fresh manure on for these, they hate it. They love well dug soil.

 

How many to grow?:

We take a calculated guess. Example: Say your family uses 3 Parsnips per week then Multiply 3 by 52 for your years supply. How ever I would reccomend adding on an extra 25% (this allows 10% for seed not germinating and a few extra to give to grateful neighbours/friends).

So your final figure is 3 x 52 = 156 then add on the quarter 156 x 1.25 = 195 seeds.

 

Expected Return:

3.5kg per 10ft Row

Biointensive 53kg per 100sq ft

 

Seed Needed:

10 ft row needs 60 seeds approx.

Biointensive 5grams of seed or 1,343 seeds

 

When to sow:

Late Feb to Late April

 

Spacing:

Rows - 12" between rows & 6" apart. ½ " Deep.

Biointensive - 4" centres.

 

Germination Time:

10 to 28 days

 

Troubles:

Canker - This is very common where the roots go brown & rotten. It's worse in acid soil or freshly manured soil. Late crops are less prone to canker

 

Harvest:

Late October to Early March. We have successfully left these in the ground as they are frost hardy although it is reccomended that you lift any remaining parsnips at the end of February.

 

Store:

Lift carefully and store in earth, sand or peat in a very cold place.

 

Fun to try:

Take your potato peeler and slice long thin slices, then roast in a lightly oiled tray and maybe season with salt and pepper & you have homemade "crisps" - try this with potatoes and carrots too.

 

 

 

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