Friday, May 13, 2011

How to Grow Parsnips

Parsnips
Burpee sell some great parsnip seeds which you can buy online. Just click on any Burpee ad on this page to view their website.
Parsnips have a very strong and distinct flavor that adds a certain something to stews and soups. I hate being without it in the kitchen garden.
So, you've bought your seeds, what are you going to do with them?

Parsnips have a long growing season  they are basically a winter crop but it takes all year to grow them.
Plant them out in February/March in long drills you have prepared in the soil. Because they grow like carrots, you will need to have prepared your soil well first and removed all stones, and broken the soil down to a fine tilth.

  1.  Plant 1 seed every 3 inches or so along the drill. 
  2. Cover over with soil using a hoe or similar garden tool. 
  3. Water well. 
  4. If you live in a cooler area you may want to pre-heat the ground first with a cloche or black polythene first.
  5. Allow you grow on, remove weeds as they appear.
  6. By Christmas, your parsnips should be ready to start lifting for use in the kitchen.

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