How to Plant Parsnip Seeds
- 1). Choose a rich, well-draining location in full sun for growing your parsnips. Plant them in mid- to late spring, before the soil warms to above 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Cultivate the site 6 to 8 inches deep and amend it with 2 to 4 inches of organic compost or well-rotted manure. A soil pH of about 6.5 is ideal.
- 2). Check the parsnip seed package carefully for the expiration date. Seeds that are more than 1 year old will have a poor germination rate.
- 3). Sow parsnip seeds 1/2 inch deep and 1/4 to 1/2 inch apart. Allow 18 inches between rows. Lightly firm the soil on top of the seeds with your fingers. Germination is typically slow, so expect to see sprouting in about 21 days.
- 4). Water the planting site thoroughly, but not enough to make it soggy or wet. Don't allow the seeds to dry out.
- 5). Thin the parsnip seedlings to 3 inches apart when they're 1/2 inch tall.
- 6). Water parsnips once a week, or just enough to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy or wet.
- 7). Apply a complete fertilizer for vegetable plants in late June. Follow the instructions carefully.
Source...