Customer Service Hours
Mon-Fri 8-4 MST
Features
Family
Apiaceae
Native
Eurasia
Life Cycle
Biennial grown as annual. Roots can be harvested in fall after a few frosts or left in ground through winter for harvest before tops begin growth in spring.
Plant Height
Roots are up to 10" long and the tops (shoulders) up to 2.5" across.
Further Information
Growing Conditions
Frost Tolerant
About Javelin Parsnip Seeds
Pastinaca sativa subsp. sativa (hybrid)
Creamy-white, tapered roots; leaves are similar to carrot foliage, but much broader.
Planting Parsnip
Plant Spacing
A group of 3 seeds every 3"
Light Required
Full sun but will grow in part shade
Plant Height
Roots are up to 10" long and the tops (shoulders) up to 2.5" across.
Planting Depth
1/2"
Coverage & Planting Details
| Coverage | This packet sows up to 5 feet. |
|---|---|
| Row Spacing | 18" |
| Seed Depth | 1/2" |
| Seed Spacing | A group of 3 seeds every 3" |
| Thinning | When 4" tall, thin to 1 every 3" |
| Germination | 10-25 days |
| Start Indoors | Not recommended. |
| Direct Sow | RECOMMENDED. Late spring or early summer, about 4 months before your average first fall frost date. Mild Climates: Sow in fall for harvest the following spring. Ideal soil temperature for germination is 50°-70°F. |
| Special Sowing | Parsnip seed is slow to germinate. Soak seeds in water for 12 to 24 hours before sowing. Sow a few fast-sprouting radish seeds with the parsnips to mark the row and help break the soil crust. Remove radishes as soon as parsnips germinate. |
| Special Care | To harvest parsnips, dig them up with a shovel or garden fork being careful not to cut or damage roots. If you wish to harvest before winter, leave parsnips in the ground for at least 2 weeks after a hard fall frost. You can improve the sweetness by storing at 32°-34°F for 2 weeks before using. If you leave parsnips in the soil over winter, throw a few inches of soil over the crowns and mulch heavily with straw or compost after the first fall frosts. During extended cold periods, stored starches are changed to sugar as the first-year plants prepare for new growth, thus roots harvested in early spring are especially tender and sweet. The roots lose flavor and become fibrous if you do not harvest them before new tops and seed stalks begin to grow. |
Find Your Frost Date & Grow Zone
Average First Frost Date
October 19
Average Last Frost Date
May 19
Your Hardiness Zone is
5b
Send Your Recommendation
