Sow parsnips in early spring

This might be mid-late August, depending on your climate.

Parsnips are a long-maturing crop that need plenty of time to grow to a good size for eating from mid-to-late summer right through winter.

Use fresh seeds each year and don’t let the soil dry out – keep moist until seeds germinate;

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Add

well-rotted compost or manure to the soil, not fresh fertiliser, or you’ll get forked roots;

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Sow

8-10cm apart, then thin as they grow so they have plenty of room.

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Keep

the soil moist and weed-free – beware, parsnip foliage can cause dermatitis on your hands.

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Only

harvest as needed – parsnips keep best in the soil.