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Not recommended for growing in USA - Zone 5a regions

Best grown in deep sandy, loamy soil. After planting keep seeds moist - can cover with a wooden plank or mulch - until seeds germinate. Difficult to grow in summer as the seed dries out fast and won't germinate. Leave in the ground until after frost or at least a couple of weeks of really cold weather. The cold results in the starch in the roots being converted into sugars which give the parsnip its sweet taste. Use a spade to dig the parsnip out of the ground.

Germination rates of parsnip seed are not great so sow about 3 seeds per inch and at a depth of around half an inch. Germination may take up to 20 days. Thin seedlings down so they are about 8cm (4in) apart. If you are planting in rows then space the rows about 50cm (20in) apart.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Parsnip

Peel and roast with vegetables or meat. The sweetish flavour of parsnips enhances most other vegetables.

Your comments and tips

29 Mar 13, Anne (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)

I love Parsnips but have found that one is unable to buy the seed in SA except maybe at a farmers coop in bulk I have family in the UK and have had them send me seeds but am told the seeds do not have a long shelf life so best to let one or two go to seed and replant from them.

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31 Mar 13, Gaynor Portsmouth (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)

Hi Give www.soughtafterseedlings.co.za a go - I have order many seeds from them that I've not been able to get at the local nursery. Enjoy Gaynor

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03 Mar 13, Marilynn Bezuidenhout (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)

My daughter brought me seeds from UK & they grew quite well after a few teething problems, not knowing the seeds at all. Now I have for the past 3 years been trying to buy parsnip seeds in SA & just cannot find any. Please where can I get & which seed firm packs them? In the Rustenburg area where I live, parsnips are not easy to find for cooking either.

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21 Feb 13, ian hurst (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)

where can I buy seeds in the western province?

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02 Mar 13, Louise (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)

For heirloom seeds you can contact the Gravel Garden. details below www.thegravelgarden.co.za 208 Irene ave Somerset West

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04 Nov 12, santa best (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)

where can i get parsnip seeds live in barberton area?

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11 Oct 12, Susan Myburgh (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)

Where in South Africa can I buy parsnips seed or teh carrots?

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20 Aug 12, Ron Rose (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)

I live in Louis Trichardt but cannot find seeds here, is there anywhere in Polokwane where these may be available?

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16 Aug 12, Suzi (Australia - tropical climate)

I live in SE QLD where we don't have frosts. Would putting them straight into the frig after harvest help convert the starches to sugars to any degree?

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16 Aug 12, adam (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Hi Suzi. I don't think it works that quickly. But Parsnips taste fine as they are, without the added sweetness. I mash them together with carrots, butter and a little salt and black pepper. Yum. You can also cook them with a little brown sugar, stir fried in a pan.

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