Guide for Sowing Parsnip Seeds
Speed Up Parsnip Growth: Pre-Germinate Your Seeds Today!
Skip the wait and bring home plump, flavorful parsnips from your very own garden this season! Follow along as we guide you through the easy process of pre-germinating your parsnip seeds to ensure a successful harvest and set the stage for a Christmas dinner worthy of praise.
Watch Monty Don demonstrates parsnip seed sowing in this clip from Gardeners' World:
Essential Tools You'll Need:
- Parsnip seed
- Plastic bag
- Multi-purpose, peat-free compost
- Trowel
- String
Let's Get Started!
Step 1:
Fill a plastic bag halfway with damp, peat-free, multi-purpose compost. Empty your parsnip seed packet onto the surface. There's no need to sow them successively, as you don't have to harvest the entire crop at once. What's more, parsnip seeds lose their viability after only one year, so there's no point in saving seed to avoid wasting it.
Step 2:
Mix the seed and compost together well, ensuring the seed is evenly distributed throughout the bag. Tie the top of the bag loosely and place it in a warm, dark spot, such as an airing cupboard, for around four days.
Step 3:
After about four days, check on your seeds. If they've sprouted small seedlings, they're ready to move on to Step 4. If not, wait another day or two and recheck.
Give It a Boost:
For faster, more consistent germination, soak your parsnip seeds in room-temperature water for 24 hours before moving to the plastic bag. Discard any seeds that float, as they're likely non-viable. To improve germination even further, follow a cold stratification process of 7-10 days by placing the damp seeds in the refrigerator before moving to a warm environment.[1][2]
Step 4:
Dig a shallow trench in well-prepared soil, removing any stones as you go. Plant the seedlings in the trench 10cm apart, cover them with a thin layer of soil, and water thoroughly using a watering can with a fine rose attachment. The seedlings should continue to grow in their new home.
Sow seed in June for tender, baby parsnips at Christmas.
[1] RHS (Royal Horticultural Society). (n.d.). How to Pre-Germinate Parsnip Seeds. Retrieved September 22, 2023, from https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=4837
[2] Brewers, M. (2018, March 5). How and when to sow parsnips: a root vegetable guide. Retrieved September 22, 2023, from https://www.growveg.com/learn/how-and-when-to-sow-parsnips
[3], [4], [5] Hallowell, E. (2022, November 14). The secrets to success with difficult-to-grow root crops. Retrieved September 22, 2023, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/root-crops-advice-45023263
Enjoy the delight of your homegrown parsnips, perfectly timed for your festive meals and warm winter soups!
Improve the germination process by soaking your parsnip seeds in room-temperature water for 24 hours before moving them to the plastic bag, and consider cold stratification for increased success. Once the seedlings emerge, plant them in a shallow trench in your home-and-garden in well-prepared soil, ensuring a plentiful supply of fresh, home-grown parsnips for your lifestyle, ideal for your festive meals.
