Growing Parsnip

Pastinaca sativa : Apiaceae / the umbelliferae family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
              P P P P  

(Best months for growing Parsnip in Australia - temperate regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 43°F and 70°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 3 - 4 inches apart
  • Harvest in 17-20 weeks. Best flavour if harvested after a frost..
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Swiss Chard (Silverbeet), Capsicum, Peas, Potatoes, Beans, Radishes, Garlic
  • Avoid growing close to: Carrot, Celery, Brassicas

Your comments and tips

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22 Aug 12, jack (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
where can I buy parsnip seeds in Durban area
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13 Aug 09, Bobbi (Australia - temperate climate)
What are the nodules which I find on my parsnip roots? ... disease?? - I have just been scraping them off prior to using, but is there a treatment to stop them occuring?
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28 Oct 12, Jim (USA - Zone 5a climate)
Did you get a response. I have the same nodules and I also scraped them off. If you have an answer please send it. Thanks
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15 Aug 09, Sara (Australia - temperate climate)
The biggest problem I have with them is greenheads stealing the seeds before thay germinate. The damper the soil seems to be the less trouble with the ants
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22 Nov 09, Kiwi Exile in Melbourne (Australia - temperate climate)
Parsnip Germination: I've not had any issues in two years, and have used packet seeds 2 years running with success (I always roll up the inner foil packet tightly after opening. I plant in a narrow drill & cover with seed raising mix. I keep surface damp AT ALL TIMES long after germination. (damp down night & morning, even more often if very hot.) - Thanks to my water tank. Easier to get started in spring and Autumn than in a hot dry summer. I find parsnips easy to grow than carrots.
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29 Dec 09, Bill Marshall (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have difficulty getting parsnips to germinate - can you help me
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19 Mar 10, Peter G (Australia - temperate climate)
I now grow my seedlings in 3-4 inch pots.Take a stryropor brocolli box,cut off to make it about 4-5 inchs high. place in pots, sieve in and around to fill all spaces. mix ; mush compost, my own compost and garden soil in equal proportions. always keep moist and best covered until germination. plant out when roots poke through base of pot.result, good even rows, no gaps. when planting , add your choice of fertiliser in base of hole, cover a little and back fill with your best growing soil.It is worth the trouble Thanks Muddy knees - who also has his own method of transplanting.Have not tried it with parsnip , but I know it will work!
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11 Jun 10, Matty (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Just harvested a great crop of parsnips, it helps to grow them in well drained soil, (keep the water up to them) and in raised garden beds are ideal.
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11 Sep 10, angela seeckts (Australia - temperate climate)
Strange shaped parsnips and in the same garden bed, cauliflowers with leaves only. Can you tell me why?
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13 Sep 10, Kit (Australia - temperate climate)
My parsnips are a little undersized but ok. My Cauliflowers are leaves only as well. Anyone got any ideas? -Kit Houston
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Showing 11 - 20 of 104 comments
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What is best time to sow parsnip seed in Canberra / ACT. We would expect some frosts in May / June. I currently have some from last year left to run to seed, but the seed is not ready yet. I was wondering whether I should sow some commercial seed about now (December) as I am concerned the parsnips currently seeding may be a bit late. Is the time of self-seeding a good guide of when to sow? Any tips on collecting parsnip seed and knowing when the seeds are ready??

- Darryl

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