How to grow parsnips from seed
Delicious parsnips can be tricky to grow from seed. Follow our guide to speeding up the germination process.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At its best | yes | yes | ||||||||||
| To do | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Parsnips can take several weeks to germinate, but it's possible to speed up the process. Follow our simple steps to pre-germinating parsnip seed to ensure bigger, more reliable yields, and look forward to parsnips roasted for the Christmas table, or in warming winter soups.
Watch Monty Don sow parsnip seeds in this clip from Gardeners' World:
You Will Need
- Parsnip seed
- Polythene bag
- Multi-purpose, peat-free compost
- Trowel
- String
Step 1
Part-fill a polythene bag with moist, peat-free, multi-purpose compost and empty your seed packet onto the surface. There's no point in successionally sowing parsnips as you don't need to harvest them all in one go. What's more, parsnip seed stays viable for only one year, so saving seed could lead to wasting it.
Step 2
Mix the seed and compost together so the seed is evenly distributed in the bag. Tie the top of the bag together and place in a dark, warm spot such as your airing cupboard. Leave for around four days.
Step 3
After around four days, remove the bag from the airing cupboard and check on your seeds. They should have germinated, and small seedlings will be poking out of the compost.
Step 4
Make a shallow trench in well-prepared soil with stones removed. Remove the seedlings from the bag and place them 10cm apart in the trench. Cover with a thin layer of soil and water with a watering can with a fine rose attached. The seedlings should continue to grow in their new growing positions.
Jan subscription offer
Get our Year Planner 2025 with a subscription to BBC Gardeners' World magazine. Get 6 issues for £14.99.
Your Guide to Roses on sale now
Love roses? Inside our guide is everything you need to know for success with your blooms, from pruning to problem solving. On sale in stores and online now!
Discover our NEW Travel & Events Brochure
Whether it's the vibrant beauty of Madeira's Flower Festival or the quiet luxury of a Cornish shepherd's hut, our NEW Travel & Events Brochure is your guide to unforgettable experiences.
New podcast series
Give your mental and physical health a boost, with our new Wellness podcast series from Monty and the team.
