Parsnip

Pastinaca sativa - Guernsey, a early 19th century French heirloom variety from Kings Seeds

Direct sow early spring (the cold helps revive the seed), through to late spring and early summer. Parsnip seed is apparently a bit finicky and must be fresh or it won't germinate - it also needs lots of moisture to germinate which takes around 14 to 20 days. The notes for this particular variety said 30 cm apart but most books seem to say 15 to 25 cm apart, and the closer they are the larger they are which seems a little odd! The parsnips just sit there, growing, growing, through summer and autumn and can be left in the ground all winter until required. A good frost will make them sweeter and more tender, however there's basically no chance of that in my garden. I did see that you can make parsnip wine and parsnip beer which sounds interesting!

I didn't sow any of these until summer so I imagine they definitely won't be ready until we hit winter - patience will be required. At least I'll know for next year. In a recent NZ Gardener email newsletter someone in the South Island had the same variety planted early and they are already ready.

If they have to sit in the ground that long, they might make interesting dividers for the garden?