If you’re looking for a vegetable to add to your garden that will keep you full and nourished, with a taste between a carrot and a sweet potato, parsnips may be the perfect addition. The only downside of this superfood is parsnips have a long growing season and can take up to 180 days from seed to harvest. That’s six months to wait for your nutritious goodness. If you’re patient, you could end up with an amazing addition to your garden.
What exactly is a parsnip?
Parsnips aren’t as well known in the United States as other superfoods like spinach which is a shame because they are delicious and versatile. Their appearance is something of a large white carrot which makes perfect sense because they are in the same family. Taste-wise, they can be somewhat bitter yet sweet and woody, making them great for soups and stews. Like carrots, they can be eaten raw or cooked.
Growing Parsnips
A few things about parsnips before you begin
- Always use fresh seeds. If you have seeds that have been hanging around in your garage for a year or so, you’ll be wasting your time, and since parsnips can take up to six months to harvest, you don’t want to wait only to start all over again.
- If you soak your seeds for approximately 4 hours before you sow them, they won’t have to work so hard to germinate.
Find the perfect location
Prepare the soil
Once you’ve found the perfect location, as with any garden, make sure the area is clear of weeds – you don’t want anything battling your parsnips for space and nutrition. You’ll want to loosen dirt about a foot deep because they have a deep taproot. As you loosen the dirt, make sure you clear all rocks, twigs, and debris that might inhibit its growth.
Parsnips grow best in loose, loamy soil or a mixture of sand, silt or clay, and organic matter. If your soil isn’t quite up to par, you can add some garden compost from your compost bin, peat moss, cow manure, or even some grass clippings to help get results.
Plant
You can plant your seeds in two different ways
- sow them directly into the ground
- after soaking your seeds, and place them on a napkin until they germinate. This process will take around a week. Then transfer them into your garden.
Make a trench about 1/2 inch deep and 1 1/2 to 2 feet wide. Sow the seeds directly into the soil about 1 inch apart. Lightly cover the seeds with 1/2 inch of the soil – do not compact the soil. Water the seeds around 1 inch each week. If you water too much, your plant’s roots will weaken, not enough water and you will end up with a misshaped, undersized parsnip that is bitter to the taste.
At six weeks, your plants should reach around an inch tall, and you can begin thinning the plants by removing every other seed. Continue the process until your plants are 6-10 inches apart.
Harvest Time
“Parsnips are high in antioxidants including vitamin C and polyacetylenes that may prevent oxidative stress and chronic conditions like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.”
Rich in vitamins and minerals
Among some of the top nutrients you will find in parsnips are:
- Vitamin C – Helps to control infections and heal wounds. Helps neutralize harmful free radicals.
- Vitamin K – Necessary for blood clotting and building bones
- Folate – Reduces birth defects of the brain and spine
- Vitamin E – antioxidant properties
Conclusion
Parsnips are a part of the carrot family and are a great addition to any garden. They are a cool season crop and can take up to six months from seed to harvest. Even though you might be waiting a while to place some in your soup or salad, they’re worth the wait. And the health benefits make it a superfood!