How to Grow Parsnip at Home

• Pasnip seed is flat round and brown which you can scatter on the ground where you want them to grow.
• Add lots of compost to the soil before you plant your parsnips.
• Use a fork to loosen the ground before sowing the seed, without turning the soil, so the roots can penetrate easily.
• Cover the seeds with a light layer of soil and press it down.
• Water the area with a light spray for ten days, and the seedlings should appear.
• Once your seedlings are standing about eight centimetres high, you thin them out, much like thinning carrots.
• Thinning means that you remove every second plant to allow space for the root to develop.

Companions (do well together)
• Parsnips enjoy the company of Onions, Radish, Garlic, Pea, Pepper and Potato.

Antagonists (don't do well together)
• The only plants that Parsnips prefer to be away from are Peas and Beans.
• Parsnip are useful to plant with other crops. It is an insect repellent. The strong smell keeps most insects at bay.

• Parsnips can take up to three to four months to reach maturity before harvesting.
• Make sure the ground is moist and loose before taking them out the ground.
• The stems will snap off at the root if the ground is hard and dry.
• If it does happen to snap, use a fork to loosen the root to get it out of the ground.
• Be careful that you do not damage the root when you dig around it.
• Wash the roots well, removing any soil remaining on the vegetable.
• Parsnip can be baked, steamed, roasted and used to make wine.
• Boiled parsnips can be mashed. Add a little butter, milk, salt and pepper for taste.

• 1 chopped onion
• Curry powder / masala
• Cumin seeds, aniseed, coriander seeds
• 3-4 parsnips (peeled and chopped)
• 1-2 cups dried broad beans (soaked overnight) or 1 can of red kidney or black beans
• 2-3 peeled and chopped potatoes
• 2-3 grated carrots
• 2 cloves garlic
• Salt and pepper
• Oil for frying


• Fry the onion, add curry and masala, cumin seeds, aniseed, coriander seeds to taste.
• Fry lightly.
• Stir and then add the vegetables and water, cook for 30-40 minutes, till the parsnips, beans and potatoes are tender.
• Add the garlic salt and pepper.
• Serve with home-baked bread. This is a delicious treat for a cold day.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.