Parsnips are versatile vegetables. They add great flavor to any meal, side dish or soup. The best thing about this plant is that it's not just tasty, but it contains several nutrients as well which makes it good for the body. It's high in vitamin C, fiber and folic acid. If you are looking for a nourishing vegetable to grow in your garden, don't hesitate to grow parsnips.
Generally, parsnips appear whitish and cone-shaped, but other factors such as its size, texture, and taste mainly depend on the specific variety of the vegetable. One common variety is the Tender and True, which is widely known for its sweet taste. Another is the Gladiator F1, which is characterized by its tenderness and smooth skin. Other parsnip varieties that are available include White Gem, Avonreister, Javelin F1, and Albion F1.
Parsnips require longer time than most vegetables to grow before it's ready for harvest, which is why the soil must be sufficiently prepared before planting. Space is not much of a requirement, but parsnip roots will develop deeper into the soil. Therefore, it's essential that there are no stones and weeds in their path that could hinder their development. The soil should be kept rich and healthy with the use of mulching. A pH level of at least six is recommended for an excellent growing environment.
The best time to plant parsnips will depend on the local climate. In cooler climates they are best planted in February or March at the beginning of the warmer weather. Their long growing period means that they can be harvested in time to enhance Christmas dinner. The seeds should be planted in furrows at a spacing of around three seeds per inch. They should be placed around half an inch down into the soil. Once the seedlings have germinated they can be thinned so that they are a minimum of three inches apart.
A week before you decide to plant, don't forget to add some slow-release fertilizer into the soil. Once you have planted, you need to make sure that the parsnips are watered regularly. This is so the roots will grow stronger. After a while, you need to concentrate on retaining the soil moisture by watering the plant weekly. If you were unable to add fertilizer into the soil before planting the parsnips, an alternative would be applying liquid fertilizer to the soil monthly. Do not over-fertilize because this can cause weak roots and a bunch of leaves.
There are several advantages to growing parsnips in your garden, and one of them is that unlike other vegetables, parsnips are not prone to a lot of pests and diseases as they are quite resilient. The only pest you should worry about is the carrot fly, which is known for destroying the roots. Cankers, a fungal disease, are the primary problem for parsnips. They cause the roots to deteriorate and often occur once the root has been damaged due to digging of soil, excessive watering and carrot flies.
Taking the decision to grow parsnips is one which will not be regretted. They are relatively easy to grow and maintain, and make a delicious addition to any meal.
Generally, parsnips appear whitish and cone-shaped, but other factors such as its size, texture, and taste mainly depend on the specific variety of the vegetable. One common variety is the Tender and True, which is widely known for its sweet taste. Another is the Gladiator F1, which is characterized by its tenderness and smooth skin. Other parsnip varieties that are available include White Gem, Avonreister, Javelin F1, and Albion F1.
Parsnips require longer time than most vegetables to grow before it's ready for harvest, which is why the soil must be sufficiently prepared before planting. Space is not much of a requirement, but parsnip roots will develop deeper into the soil. Therefore, it's essential that there are no stones and weeds in their path that could hinder their development. The soil should be kept rich and healthy with the use of mulching. A pH level of at least six is recommended for an excellent growing environment.
The best time to plant parsnips will depend on the local climate. In cooler climates they are best planted in February or March at the beginning of the warmer weather. Their long growing period means that they can be harvested in time to enhance Christmas dinner. The seeds should be planted in furrows at a spacing of around three seeds per inch. They should be placed around half an inch down into the soil. Once the seedlings have germinated they can be thinned so that they are a minimum of three inches apart.
A week before you decide to plant, don't forget to add some slow-release fertilizer into the soil. Once you have planted, you need to make sure that the parsnips are watered regularly. This is so the roots will grow stronger. After a while, you need to concentrate on retaining the soil moisture by watering the plant weekly. If you were unable to add fertilizer into the soil before planting the parsnips, an alternative would be applying liquid fertilizer to the soil monthly. Do not over-fertilize because this can cause weak roots and a bunch of leaves.
There are several advantages to growing parsnips in your garden, and one of them is that unlike other vegetables, parsnips are not prone to a lot of pests and diseases as they are quite resilient. The only pest you should worry about is the carrot fly, which is known for destroying the roots. Cankers, a fungal disease, are the primary problem for parsnips. They cause the roots to deteriorate and often occur once the root has been damaged due to digging of soil, excessive watering and carrot flies.
Taking the decision to grow parsnips is one which will not be regretted. They are relatively easy to grow and maintain, and make a delicious addition to any meal.
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Lastly, before you get started in your own garden, be sure to check out this great article on growing parsnips.
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