White Spear Parsnips Vegetable Seeds - West Coast Seeds - PN583A

PRODUCT DETAILS

From the breeders of Lancer, this improved parsnip has better uniformity in shape with a deep crown set and broad, round shoulders. The roots are very white with smooth skins and a fine, mellow flavour that is gorgeous as a roasted vegetable or simply chopped into soups and stews. It has very good storage ability both in the ground and in cold storage. The ideal size for harvest is 28cm (11"), but the roots will keep growing if left in the ground. White Spear parsnip is the best choice for early spring planting and harvesting in early summer.

Take caution during sunny weather: touching the plant may cause skin burns.

Matures in 120 days. (Open-pollinated seeds)

• Very white roots
• Smooth skins
• Matures in 120 days
• Open pollinated seeds

All About White Spear

Latin

Pastinaca sativaFamily: Apiaceae

Difficulty Easy

We Recommend:

Gladiator (PN581). This hybrid parsnip was bred to be fast-growing, uniform, and large – and we’ve seen some HUGE ones. At any size it has very appealing, mild flavour and it’s firm without being woody.

Timing

Direct sow from the last frost date to mid-summer Optimal soil temperature for germination: 10-25°C (50-75°F). Seeds take 14-21 days to germinate.

Starting

Sow seeds 5mm-1cm (¼-½”) deep. Cover seeds with compost and/or put row cover over planting area to shade the soil and conserve moisture. Thin to 7-10 cm (3-4″) apart in rows 45-60cm (18-24″) apart.

Days to Maturity:

From direct sowing.

Growing

Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8. Prepare ground as for carrots, digging deeply to loosen soil prior to planting For even longer parsnips, you can dig or form holes 60cm (24″) deep. Weed carefully and keep watered. Contact with parsnip leaves causes a rash in some people, so harvest and weed with long sleeves and gloves.

Harvest

The flavour of parsnips is best after a couple of good frosts. Dig parsnips from late summer into the winter as needed. Protect from freezing in the soil with a thick straw mulch if it is a cold winter. Parsnips keep better in well-drained soil. The average family will be well supplied with a 6m (20′) row.

Seed Info

In optimal conditions at least 60% of seeds will germinate. Usual seed life: 1 year. Per 100′ row: 440 seeds, per acre: 128M seeds.

Diseases & Pests

Carrot rust fly maggots may injure the roots of parsnips. The most reliable control is floating row cover. Practice crop rotation to prevent soil-borne disease.