![]() Parsnip seeds germinate very slowly even under the best conditions and also lose their germination potential after the first year. Frequently Asked Questions Why do parsnip seeds germinate so poorly? NutritionĪ cup serving is low in fat, moderately high in carbohydrates and fiber with an abundance of flavor and crunch. Expect 5-7 pounds of roots per 10 linear feet of row. Plant 10 feet of row per person for fresh use and 10 feet for storage. Do not store parsnips with apples or pears as the fruit gases cause the parsnip roots to get bitter. Parsnips can be stored in the garden under heavy mulch or dug and stored in moist sand in a cool cellar for several months. Wash and store at 32✯ and 95% relative humidity for two to four weeks. Use digging fork to loosen soil and pull up needed plants by the tops and trim off leaves. Generally roots are mature 100-120 days from seeding. Parsnips can be harvested when the roots reach full size. Leads to forking and off-shaped roots.Ĭarried by leafhoppers. Occur when foliage remains wet for long periods.įungal diseases that cause decay and rotting of the root. Use soil applied chemicals at planting or cover young emerging seedlings with fabric row covers to exclude egg-laying adults.įungal diseases that cause spotting on infected leaves. Small white maggots that feed on and burrow into the developing root. For over-wintering parsnips, mulch heavily with straw or compost, as with carrots. ![]() Organic mulches such as grass clippings, leaves, straw, and newspapers also help control weeds. Mulches cool the soil and reduce water stress. Revised April 2020 MulchesĪpply organic mulches during summer when temperatures increase. Place fertilizer to the side of the row and irrigate it into the soil. FertilizationĪpply ¼ cup per 10 foot of row of a nitrogen-based fertilizer (21-0-0) six weeks after emergence and again four weeks later to encourage rapid plant growth. Moisture fluctuations also cause root disorders, slow leaf development, and contribute to bitterness. Avoid overwatering as hairy roots form and forking may occur. Mulching around the plants helps to conserve soil moisture. ![]() Water regularly, applying 1-2 inches per week depending on weather. Wait until the fall when cool conditions improve flavors before harvesting. Parsnips can be left in the garden after light frosts and are often overwintered under heavy mulches. Planting radishes with parsnips helps minimize the crusting problem and identifies where the planted rows are located. Dense plantings will reduce weed pressure. Over-seed parsnips, then thin to 3-6 inches between plants after emergence. Maintain a uniform and moist soil surface to ensure good plant stands. Plant seeds on soil surface then cover seed with compost or fine sand to help with stand establishment. Crusting soils will limit seedling emergence and affect plant stands. Temperatures down to 32✯ do not seriously damage plants. High summer temperatures reduce growth, decrease quality, and cause bitter or offflavored roots. Parsnips grow best when temperatures do not exceed 75✯. Temperatures above 80✯ reduce seed germination. Seeds germinate best at 55-65✯ and require 14-21 days to emerge. Parsnips can be planted after soils reach 40✯. Always purchase fresh seed as parsnips lose germination and seedling vigor rapidly after one year. If you fertilize with compost, apply no more than 1 inch of well-composted organic matter per 100 square feet of garden area. If fertilizer applications are warranted, work the fertilizer into the top 6 inches of soil. Soil Preparationīefore planting, determine fertilizer needs with a soil test and then follow the recommendations given with the test report. Heavy soils need to be amended with plenty of compost and should be double dug to allow good root development. Most light soils in Utah are well suited for parsnip production. Parsnips prefer fertile, well-drained, deep, sandy soils rich in organic matter for best growth. There are many good parsnip varieties for sale in local gardening outlets and through seed catalogs. Harvest parsnips when the leaves reach full size. Control insect and diseases throughout the year. Irrigation should be frequent and uniform to ensure good growth. Avoid water or fertilizer stress during growth. Parsnips taste best when plants have been exposed to several weeks of cool, frosty weather. Plant two to three weeks before the last frost. Thin seedling parsnips to 3 inches apart in row with rows 12-18 inches apart. Incorporate plenty of organic matter and an all-purpose fertilizer into the area before planting. Parsnips are cool season vegetables that prefer sunny locations and fertile, deep, well-drained soils.
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