How to Grow Parsnips

How to grow parsnips with this easy to follow video tutorial from Quickcrop. This delicious, hardy winter vegetable develops its sweet, nutty flavour when cold temperatures turn the starches in the root to sugar, so traditionally the first parsnips are only lifted after a hard frost. If you do harvest parsnips before a frost, bag them up and keep them in the fridge for two weeks to sweeten the roots.
More information on growing parsnips:
www.quickcrop....
www.quickcrop....

[@vincentneale2620]

I used to sow Parsnips direct into the soil like you show on this video, then I began to pre-germinate the seed on paper towels. With gardening there is always something new to learn and so this year following a tip from my neighbour I tried pre-germinating the parsnip seed in a small bag of compost, It worked the best ever and yesterday I planted out the germinated seed on my allotment from half a packet of Tender and True. I had enough to plant 5 rows of 15 feet long - yep I love Parsnips

[@vincentneale2620]

Just let you know my crop of parsnips using the method I did has been the best ever One is never too old to learn news tricks

[@Dezertroze43]

I have to try that. Thank you for the suggestion.

[@Donizen1]

I had parsnip seeds in the fridge for about 4 years. Pre-germinated them on a wet paper towel in a ziplock bag and all germinated. And got a good crop from them. Maybe different in Queensland Australia where it never gets too cold.

[@159India1]

I appreciate the video you have made for parsnips. I am in Brooklyn, NY and have had no success in the past, and now I know why. Thank you, DL

[@jojozepofthejungle2655]

Newbie winter crop here, i just raised the seeds in a pot and "ahhh" planted out! I don't mind crooked parsnips, eaten enough crooked carrots until I learned how to grow them in rows. Now onions are another vegetable that I have trouble with.

[@Yellaspot]

Thanks! You know, I did take note of the spacing measurements mentioned in the video and afterward went outside and measured my crop and found that most were around only 7cm apart. Pretty crowded, I suppose. They've been well-weeded the entire time. Better luck next year... Thank you!

[@Quickcrop]

I just water if they look like they're drying out. If you thin them out to approx 15cm you might get longer leaves. keep well weeded in between plants

[@magapickle01]

Glad you get to the point ! So my parsnip experiment went in early spring , i have lots of leaves and getting ready to flower for hopes of f seeds . If i wanted to focus on the root itself would i cut the greens off or thin them out ?

[@greeneking77]

Man, this guy is giving out so many great tips! He looks so healthy how did he pass away?

[@Quickcrop]

Hi, Klaus hasn't died, he just doesn't work with us anymore. As far as I know he is still fit and healthy and sharing his love of gardening.

[@greeneking77]

Oh that's great! In another video I asked something and you said "he is no longer with us" which led to the confusion

[@cameltrain100]

Many thanks. Very interesting. This year I seem to have grown parsnips like cricket balls. The head looks like a nice long parsnip is promised but they are just round with spindly roots.

[@Quickcrop]

What variety of parsnip are you growing?

[@cappyjones]

Planting mine tomorrow! 👍🏾

[@svenjorgenson3224]

And if you wish you can store them exactly where they are in the ground over winter, and they will be just fine next spring.

[@carrikartes1403]

Thank you

[@alisonburgess345]

Fantastic crop to grow - well i was lucky, anyway. It's heartbreaking to thin them 😩

[@stevemagee8146]

Parsnips seeds up in 10 days and carrots up in 6 days while on holiday so the soil never dried out even on top

[@LadyDIYer]

Your soil is amazing. My soil is heavier and not as easy to rake. Will Parsnips still grow? Great videos and I've learned a lot from watching.

[@Quickcrop]

+Gloria Mundy Hi, it is best if the soil is loosened to grow parsnips. Your soil may benefit by digging in some organic matter. Some advice here: www.quickcrop.co.uk/blog/soil-improvement-for-vegetable-gardeners/

[@howardmorgan4196]

I'm on a 30 degree slope, south facing, and I am envious. I am working on terraces, without supporting boards, but I'll try your sowing advice and let you know what happens

[@philiphearn9297]

Great video, envious of your soil!

[@Quickcrop]

Hi, we produce good soil with the use of quality compost, natural improvers and plenty of patience. www.quickcrop.co.uk/blog/soil-improvement-for-vegetable-gardeners/

[@j.glennbauer508]

Thanks for the good concise clip. I sowed parsnips in early April this year and they've started going to seed? Is this normal and do I wait till later to harvest?

[@Blagger3000]

Wash and peel, cut into thick 3/4 inch strips, then generously sprinkle with olive oil and season well, and put into a hot oven with your roast potatoes. Cook until crispy on the outside and soft inside. Lovely!

[@Quickcrop]

Tasty!! Remember to remove the tough bitter core though.

[@joebuchanan9563]

Thank you for the great advice.

[@Quickcrop]

You're welcome

[@Brainmalfuction]

thanks for the video straight to the point all the info i needed have you ever left yours in over the winter and picked them in the spring ?

[@mysticalglowtv1796]

Why sow them so close if you know you are going to take out every second one?

[@Yellaspot]

Wow! They look wonderful... So you really don't have to add any nutrients while they're growing. How often do they need to be watered? Mine have been growing for over 4 months and the leaves and stems are nowhere near as broad and long as the ones in the video.

[@Tabby318]

Thank you for the video. I am somewhat confused - if you were planting in early May and showing them again at intervals of 5 weeks, to a total of 15 weeks, then you were harvesting in late August - yet you speak of frost. Where have I gone wrong?

[@hannahpriddle4354]

I was thinking the same thing

[@myview1875]

Teresa Brooker. I am a parsnip novice and live in North East England . I sowed some seeds in April and nothing grew. I tried in May and nothing grew. I then purchased some new seeds from a supermarket and sowed them on June 1st and as of today 4/7/2020 Super Saturday Lol I have some baby parsnips growing. In answer to your query about the frost. I think the 15 weeks is a bit confusing because from what I have read is that yes parsnips can be ready to be harvested at that time but the thing with parsnips is that they develop a sweeter taste the longer they are in the ground. They can be left in the ground right through winter gaining a sweeter taste. Harvest them up to about April the next year just before the last frosts because after this I think they go to seed. Hope this helps. 😊.

[@Tabby318]

@@myview1875 Thank you. I also planted parsnip seeds and got nothing. I appreciate your response and shall have another go!

[@myview1875]

​@@Tabby318 . Just to add how I sowed the parsnip seeds on June 1st. I had some multi purpose shop bought soil left over. I made sure my garden soil was well dug over and made fine and fluffy down to about 12 inches. I then sieved a noticeable layer of the compost over the area I was going to use. I then placed two seeds on top of the compost about 4 inches apart in rows ( if they grow pull out 2nd seedling to let just one grow to full size ). I then sieved another layer of compost over the top of the seeds ( make this layer about 5 - 10 millimeters thick ). Finally I patted down the soil with my hand to compact the soil. Water with a fine spray. The seedlings look like carrot seedlings when growing with 2 elongated tall leaves but they grow a side serrated leaf ( this is what they look like today 7/7/2020 ). I would recommend a clotch / cover for protection from birds. Also note purchased seeds only last for the year you buy them so always purchase new. Hope this helps. 😊. P.s. The parsnip seeds I purchased were from Morrisons supermarket. I would still try sowing some now I don't think it is to late. 😊.

[@debeesweet8455]

When do you know if they qre ready first time doing Parsnips didn't get any info before planting so now I've realised I've done q few things wrong lol I have been giving them feed now my leaves and stems are like the tropics but all look healthy I suppose that's a bonus but don't know what to look for to say they are ready to pull

[@rodyates2669]

Are you referring to Northern Hemisphere planting,? What about early May, in Sydney, Australia., Also, do you think worms would help? I'm planting in potting mixture with manure, in a very large plastic tub.

[@chrissy4782]

PLEASE HELP: My parsnips were doing beautifully when one day I found some with the tops chewed completely down (assuming the root is still intact). I suspect groundhogs, squirrels, or chipmunks 🐿️ (the only wild mammals in our yard), not deer or rabbits. Can they be saved? Will the tops grow back and continue to grow the roots or is all lost?

[@aquahydroman7623]

Do you recommend sieving for stones also?

[@martinevans7771]

great video

[@Quickcrop]

+martin evans Thanks Martin for watching and kind words. Great to see - you enjoying them.

[@martinevans7771]

Quickcrop its okay keep doing videos enjoying them

[@barbararickman8543]

So, you plant in late spring and let the grow all year. Do you prepare the soil with compost before planting or not? If it is good soil already, does the soil need compost? Can these be grown in garden boxes or will the tap root be too long for a box? You parsnips are HUGE and look too long for a raised bed box.

[@Quickcrop]

Its normal practice to add soil improvers to replace the nutrients lost during the previous growing season and to help the soil structure, damaged by adverse weather. Here's a useful article on improving soil www.quickcrop.co.uk/blog/ten-ways-improve-soil/ The parsnips will grow as deep as the bed allows and, if you have soil beneath your beds, they will keep on going! Regards,

[@lecsu131]

I do believe you meant 5 Months for the last period instead of 5 weeks. Parsnips couldn't possibly grow like that in 15 weeks total from seed.

[@Quickcrop]

Well spotted, I think the final period should have been 15 weeks. It usually take about 6 months to grow parsnips.

[@redpillnibbler4423]

Should I add a layer of manure 1 foot down?

[@owl369]

Thanks for this excellent video. What month would these be planted from seed in zone 5 (Atlantic Canada)?

[@dubstar2000]

i would imagine early may, same as ireland

[@janet6421]

My parsnips are flowering in early June. Is there something wrong?

[@Quickcrop]

Hi, sorry to hear that. Parsnips are biennial so sometimes, if a cold spell is experienced they may be triggered to flower to produce seeds.

[@janet6421]

@@Quickcrop Yes, we had a late frost. Can I still harvest the parsnips?

[@crochetingaroundnewzealand]

Hi can you eat the tops like you can with carrots and beetroot? I wish we could replant the ones we pull out lol

[@carrikartes1403]

Saw a guy on KZbin short that said he did that. Cut an inch or two below the top leaves. Let dry 3 days and plant. He said they grow faster stronger and bigger than sowing from seeds

[@crochetingaroundnewzealand]

@@carrikartes1403 wow interesting

[@carrikartes1403]

@@crochetingaroundnewzealand oh planted the tops not the roots bty

[@halneimasidal]

😍😍😍😍😍

[@baharsimsek9533]

Merhaba kanalını izliyorum mükemmel 😚😊🌲🌳🍋

[@Greebstreebling]

what kind of soil do they need?

[@Quickcrop]

A deep sandy soil is best. Here is some more information :) www.quickcrop.ie/learning/plant/parsnip

[@timsbitsca]

is there such a parsnip as one that does not go from thick to thin, I mean a regular shape all over with out a long tail, more like a NANTES carrot which has a round end and so little waste ? Thanks guys.

[@Quickcrop]

Hi Noel, I've only ever seen tapered parsnips. I like how the pointed end goes crispy when roasted. Cheers, Tony

[@timsbitsca]

ok thanks

[@sound7044]

TOEBENG APPROVES OF THIS METHODÉ

[@MrSmoothasf]

The ones you take out due to over crowding, do you replant them

[@TheGamingExperience]

I have read that parsnips are toxic,yet I see you handle them as if they are not,so is all this news about them being toxic bogus??

[@Quickcrop]

Hi, the sap contained in the foliage of the parsnip can occasionally cause an allergic reaction causing a rash similar to poisin ivy. The rest of the parsnip is, however, deliciously edible. Cheers, T.

[@bradzzz]

Toebeng aprove of this methodé but where tf is david balisong

[@MidwestOptimist]

I'd replant the thinnings. Wasteful to throw away healthy plants.