Pastinaca sativa
parsnip
Photo: Olivier Pichard · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
The parsnip is an ancient, hardy root vegetable with a cream‑white, sweet‑nutty root, an autumn kitchen classic for soups, purées and roasted vegetables. It requires a long growing season, but is very frost‑tolerant and becomes truly sweet after frost. Beginners should note that the seeds germinate slowly and only fresh seeds are reliable.
Care instructions
Sow fresh seed from March to May thinly in deep, stone‑free soil and keep the soil evenly moist until the seedlings emerge (often about 3 weeks). Space the seedlings about a hand’s breadth apart and keep the bed weed‑free. Harvest from October after the first frosts, roots can remain in the ground through winter and be freshly cut when needed.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
loamy, humus-rich, well-drained
Feeding
Medium feeder
Months
Mar–Apr
Propagation
Methods
- From seed
Companion planting
Good neighbors
amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae)
Umbellifers and alliums confuse each other's pests (carrot fly, onion fly).
For example OnionLeekChivesDaffodilRocamboleElephant garlic and 11 more species in the catalogue
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
daisy family (Asteraceae)
Calendula and Tagetes next to carrots keep the carrot fly away with their scent.
For example Tagetes patulaCalendulaSunflowerCommon coneflowerFall AsterIceberg lettuce and 56 more species in the catalogue
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
cabbage family (Brassicaceae)
You can pair celery and dill with all Brassicaceae because they repel the cabbage whitefly with their scent, a proven companion.
For example White cabbageKohlrabiKalebroccolicauliflowerbeet greens and 33 more species in the catalogue
Source: Bio-Gärtnerei Mixed-culture Practice
legume family (Fabaceae)
Peas and beans provide carrot and celery with nitrogen and grow as shallow-rooted plants without competition next to each other.
For example Bush beanPole beanBroad beanMarker peaSugar peaRed bean and 30 more species in the catalogue
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
Rather not
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Some of these explanations were machine-translated.
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Varieties
3 varieties‘Gladiator F1’
A modern F1 hybrid, *‚Gladiator F1’*, with smooth, uniform white roots and especially reliable, vigorous growth, it…
‘Halblange Weiße’
You have *‚Halblange Weiße’*, a proven old standard variety with cone‑shaped, cream‑white roots about 20 cm long, the classic parsnip for the home garden.
‘Tender and True’
An English enthusiasts' variety with long, evenly shaped roots and fine, smooth skin, little core and plenty of tender flesh.
Notes from real gardens
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From the magazine
Parsnip and Salsify: the forgotten winter vegetables
Two hardy roots almost no one grows anymore: sow parsnip and black salsify in spring, harvest them all winter, and frost even makes them sweeter. Here is how to grow them well.
Harvesting Winter Vegetables: Fresh from the Frost
Kale, Brussels sprouts, corn salad and parsnip stand in the bed all winter and taste even sweeter after frost. Here is how to harvest fresh from the snow without the leaves turning to mush.