Parsnips
Scientific Classification & Quick Facts
| Common name | Parsnip |
| Scientific name | Pastinaca sativa |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Apiales |
| Family | Apiaceae |
| Genus | Pastinaca |
| Type | Root vegetable plant |
| Habitat | Well-drained sandy or loamy soil; sun or light shade |
| Colours | Creamy root; yellow flowers |
| Lifespan | Biennial, but usually grown as an annual |
| Edible parts | Long tuberous root |
| Special feature | Roots turn sweeter after frost |
Pastinaca sativa, commonly known as parsnip is an edible, long tuberous root, close to parsley and carrot. Even though it is a biennial plant, most people grow it annually. During the first harvesting season, it develops mid-green leaves and a rosette of pinnate. If you do not pluck them, they generate stems covered by an umbel of tiny flowers, yellow in color during the second harvesting season.
Anatomy
You can leave the creamy layer of long tuberous root of parsnip on the ground once they sweeten with maturity, after the winter. The fleshy cylindrical tap roots are delicious, smooth and often give rise to lateral roots. Some of the cultivars tend to deliver bulbous shaped roots, which many food processing companies prefer to use due to their resistance to breakages.
Habitat
Even though popularized by the Greeks and Romans, the first colonists brought Parsnips to America.
GROWING AT HOME
Soil for Planting
While a well-drained sandy, loamy soil is ideal for parsnips, they grow well in gardens if kept in a luminous or slightly shady area. In case of heavily acidic soil, you can add lime and further enrich the soil by adding manure and water.
Planting
Photo by: Marcus de Figueiredo
It is vital to check whether the seeds are fresh before sowing. Parsnips desire ample time to grow, thus seeding is important immediately after modifying the soil.
Spread the soil up to 12-15 inches and blend in 2-4 inch of compost.
Sow the seeds at least ½ inches deep.
In 2-3 weeks, the vegetation will begin.
Parsnips need ample time to sprout, slowly. It requires a lot of patience, as it might take even up to a month to start appearing.
Try sowing lettuce or radish in between parsnips, as they grow comparatively faster.
Watering
Hydrating soil is vital for the fast development of the roots, in case rainfall is below 1 inch per week. Intense watering of soil facilitates growth of deep roots and relieves stressing of plants.
Care
Mainatain 3-4 inches of spacing between the seedlings.
Remove weeds from the beds; otherwise they will compete with the young plants for nutrients and water.
In order to leave the parsnip roots untouched, use hoeing technique.
Avoid fresh manures, as it distorts the root crops.
Pest and Pesticides
Carrot Fly: Carrot flies are very harmful as they often lay eggs in the soil, near the plants, whose larvae enter the roots. Plant some onions instead of carrots or celery near parsnips.
Celery Fly – Even though the Celery fly does not harm the parsnip roots, they distort the leaves with some brown blisters. Wipe out the traces of the affected leaves immediately.
Wireworms –Wireworms cause tiny regular holes in Parsnips.
Diseases
Canker – Are dark spots and patches on portions of the root, that mainly targets the injured roots. Raising the pH value of soil around 7.0 will relive the plants.
Leaf Spot – Sometimes small brown spots appear on the leaves known as leaf spot. It does not harm the roots.
Pale Leaves – In case of paling of tops of parsnips, supply nutrients and enrich the soil.
Harvest Month and Storage
After the leaves dry, pull the parsnips with the aid of garden forks, or allow them to stay on the ground until you are ready to use them. Frost improves the flavor of parsnips. Plucking is not very simple in case the soil becomes rigid. Preserve in cool, dry place till it becomes usable.
Varieties
Gladiator F1: Delicious variety of parsnip, which can resist canker well and is a good cropper.
Tender And True: Tasty parsnips delivering smooth weighty root that can resist canker.
White Gem: White Gem offers huge, white roots, which mature easily and tastes delicious. It can also resist canker.
Parsnip FAQs
What is a parsnip?
A parsnip is an edible, long, creamy-coloured root that is close to parsley and carrot. Its scientific name is Pastinaca sativa.
Why do parsnips taste sweeter after frost?
Parsnip roots get sweeter as they mature after winter frost, so gardeners often leave them in the ground until needed. Frost improves their flavour.
How long do parsnip seeds take to sprout?
Parsnip seeds are slow. Seedlings may appear in 2 to 3 weeks, but it can take up to a month, so you need patience.
Is a parsnip a biennial plant?
Yes. A parsnip takes two growing seasons to finish its life cycle. In the first it grows leaves, and in the second it makes stems with small yellow flowers. Most people grow it as an annual.
What pests attack parsnips?
Carrot flies lay eggs near parsnips, and their larvae tunnel into the roots. Wireworms make small holes, and celery flies leave brown blisters on the leaves.
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