All American Parsnip

All American Parsnip is an heirloom, open-pollinated parsnip variety with creamy white roots and a fine texture. This high-yielding variety produces 10-12″ long parsnips with broad shoulders and a sharp taper. For best results, harvest after a frost has occurred. Freezing temperatures will convert some of the plant starch to sugar, making the roots sweeter.

Parsnips are a cool-season crop and will perform best when planted in the fall and overwintered for a late winter or early spring harvest. They are very cold hardy and can easily handle freezing temperatures. Just be sure to plant them early enough in fall to obtain some vegetation before freezing temperatures arrive. Parsnips should be harvested in late winter or spring before temperatures warm. As temperatures warm in spring, they can develop significant root hairs and become woody while sitting in the soil.

Parsnips are have a slow germination time, similar to carrots. In most cases, they can take 2-3 weeks to sprout after direct seeding. The optimal soil temperature range for best germination is 55-77 degrees Fahrenheit. We do recommend direct-seeding parsnips for best results. Sew seeds liberally, about 1″ apart, along the intended row. After seeding, keep the soil moist for 2 weeks by watering lightly on a daily basis. This will ensure adequate germination and a dense, healthy stand of plants.

Parsnips can be grown on double rows with drip irrigation in the center. To do this, bury a line of drip tape and plant a row of parsnips about 2-3″ to each side of the tape. The subsurface drip irrigation will allow you to easily keep the seed be moist during the germination process, and also easily feed the plants as they grow. Once the foliage is developed, it will shade the center of the double row and reduce the need for weeding around plants.

 

All American Parsnip Planting Information

Planting Method: direct seed

When to Plant: early spring and fall

Planting Depth: 1/2″

Seed Spacing: 1-2″

Row Spacing: 18-24″

Days to Maturity: 105

Disease Resistance: None