Parsnips are another ancient vegetable that has made its way around the world. Popular with the ancient Romans, the parsnip is a cool-season crop that reaches its peak flavor after the first hard frost it experiences. They are a slow growing plant that is often difficult to grow, but with the right levels of patience and proper preparation, you’ll be able to grow an impressive parsnip crop from the comforts of your home.

So you’ve decided to plant parsnip in your fantasitc garden, nice! According to our research on parsnip, we don’t recommend planting carrots nearby.

When starting parsnip from seed, it’s vital to find the freshest seed possible. While most vegetable seeds are good for a few years, parsnip is not one of those. Loosen soil down to a foot, and amend with ample amounts of compost. Sow 2 to 3 seeds per inch, and push each seed ½ inch down below the soil surface. As the seedling begin to grow, thin them by pulling out smaller ones so there is 3 to 6 inches between each.

Leave the parsnips in the ground for 2 to 4 weeks after temperatures drop to freezing. Similar to a carrot, a close relative to the parsnip, the parsnip’s flavors won’t fully develop until exposed to cold temperatures. When it’s time to harvest, dig out each root with a shovel. The root should be about 1 to 2 inches in diameter, and 8 to 12 inches long. Scrub away any dirt under running water, pat dry, and refrigerate or place in a root cellar.