All American Parsnip Seeds (1.5g)
With its white, tender flesh and frost-resistant properties, the All American Parsnip is an excellent choice for your garden. These parsnips produce long roots of about 10 to 12 inches with a small core and a hollow crown. They are particularly sweet when harvested in the fall. The typical maturity period is approximately 105 days.
Our 100% heirloom, non-GMO seeds from Patriot Seeds are open-pollinated, promoting ongoing cultivation, harvest, and replanting. Securely packaged, these seeds remain viable for long-term storage.
Planting Guide
Achieve a bountiful parsnip harvest with these planting guidelines:
- Sow seeds in early spring, burying them 1/2 an inch deep and 1 inch apart. Maintain row spacing of 18 to 24 inches.
- Expect germination in 2 to 3 weeks, potentially longer in colder soils. Keep the soil moist to expedite germination.
- Sow radishes alongside the parsnip seeds to break the soil crust and mark the row.
- Thin the sprouts to a spacing of 3 to 4 inches. Trim rather than pull to avoid disturbing the roots of the remaining plants.
- Use mulch to suppress weeds and conserve moisture. Hill soil around the base of the plants to prevent the root shoulders from turning green.
Harvesting Guide
Enhance the taste and longevity of your parsnips with these harvesting tips:
- Harvest just before the first frost for the best flavor, as this is when the starch in parsnips converts to sugar.
- Use a fork spade to dig under the parsnips and lift them out with minimal damage.
- Some parsnips can be left in the ground over winter. Cover them with 4 to 6 inches of mulch to maintain their condition.
- Parsnips are not affected by soil freezing, but ensure you harvest before the ground hardens and new growth appears in early spring.
- Store parsnips in a cool place for up to 6 months, or in a refrigerator for up to 2 months.
Seed Saving
In their second year, parsnips produce tall flower heads of small yellow flowers, followed by a wealth of papery seeds.
Leave a significant number of the largest roots in the ground over winter for seed cropping. Ensure only to save seed from large parsnips, as small parsnips tend to produce smaller seeds.
Unlike other seeds, parsnip seeds do not store well, but freshly saved seeds usually outperform purchased ones. Note that parsnips cross-pollinate easily, so only let one variety go to seed each year.