Planting Parsnips – A root vegetable that is underrated

ThePlant parsnipsis a very good decision. The parsnip is a root vegetable that is unfairly despised and considered a vegetable that is not worth eating. Its sweet taste ensures that it can be eaten alone and without other vegetables or side dishes. The parsnip can be cooked, sautéed, baked, roasted and consumed as a puree. It also tastes particularly good in combination withpotatoes.

Planting parsnips – A vegetable with a sweet taste

If you are looking for oneVegetablesare that they tolerate the cold very well, it is a really, really good idea if you plant the parsnip. It gets its sweet taste from the frost. The parsnip is also not at all demanding when it comes to storage. All it needs is a cool, moist place where it can be stored for several months. Another option is to leave the parsnip in the ground until the time comes to prepare a delicious autumn or winter dish.

Planting and caring for parsnips

Choose a sunny or semi-shady place to plant parsnips. As with carrots, it is important for this root vegetable to properly prepare the soil, which should be done a few weeks before sowing. To do this, it should be well loosened to a depth of approx. 45 cm. Mix in sand and fine compost. Furthermore, remove lumps and stones from the soil.

Plant parsnips and keep soil cool

Sow the seeds about an inch deep, leaving about 1 inch (2.5 cm) between them. When thinning, increase the distance to approx. 7.5 cm. Your next task after planting parsnips is to keep the soil moist and free of weeds. Regular mulching can help you with this. Also check the plants regularly for pests and combat them as quickly as possible. But always start with the mildest remedy.

Planting parsnips – harvesting and storage

After planting parsnips, it remains to wait for them to ripen. This usually takes 90 to 130 days. To harvest, simply carefully dig out of the soil. It is best to use a small shovel or digging fork. You have two options for storage: Either you store them in a cool and damp place, as already mentioned. Or you can leave the parsnips in the ground over the winter (if the winter is mild), but you will then have to cover the soil with an approx. 30 cm thick layer of hay or straw. These serve as insulation and prevent the ground underneath from freezing. So that you can still find the parsnips even after snowfall, it would be an advantage if you mark the places with sticks or other aids. Either way, the parsnips need to be harvested before the ground freezes.

Like beets, parsnips are root vegetables

Creamy parsnip and cauliflower soup