Parsnip - Hollow Crown Seeds, OSC

Hollow Crown Parsnip. Heirloom vegetable. Long, smooth, tender and sugary roots can grow up to 30cm (12in) long and be up to 7.5cm (3in) wide at the shoulder. Be very patient with germination – it can take up to 3 weeks for the seed to sprout. Also do not be in a hurry to harvest your parsnips in the fall. Roots require exposure to frosty weather to develop full flavour... the longer you wait, the better the flavour gets.

Attributes

Light Requirement: Full Sun
Planting Method: Direct Seed
Growth Habit: Root Crop
Days to Emergence: 15 - 20
Days to Harvest 105
Height: 20 - 30cm (8 - 12in)

How to Grow

Culture is very similar to carrots. Sow seed about 2.5cm (1in) apart and 6-12mm (1/4-1/2in) deep in rows 45-60cm (18-24in) apart. Keep soil evenly moist during the 3 week germination period but avoid crusting over the soil as this will greatly reduce the number of seedlings that emerge. Once seedlings have reached 5-7.5cm (2-3in) in height, thin them to 7.5cm (3in) apart in the row. Parsnips do best in deep, friable soil that has had any rocks, stones or hard lumps removed (all these can cause the roots to branch out or fork should they come into contact). Dig roots in the fall and early winter after cold has brought out the best flavour.