Growing parsnip

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Parsnip Culture

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Work the soil very deep and pulverize the surface thoroughly. Sow seed in early spring, three-quarters of an inch deep in rows, twelve to thirty inches apart, according to method of cultivation. As soon as the plants appear, cultivate and hand weed them, and when three inches high thin to six inches apart in the row. Cultivate sufficiently to keep the soil loose throughout the season. Freezing improves the quality of Parsnips for table use, so it is customary to take up in the fall when the ground begins to freeze what will be needed for winter use, leaving the remainder to winter over in the ground. Each grower should watch his Parsnip plantings closely, and see if he has got a good catch. If not, he should plant again as soon as possible. The seeds of this plant are very delicate and require favorable weather conditions for the first week. As Parsnip seed is very slow in germinating it has been found advantageous to sow a small quantity of Radish along with it. The Radish being a very quick vigorous grower breaks the crust, thus enabling the young parsnips tp break through more easily. If sowing with a seeder we would advise keeping a close watch on the seed to see that it is dropping all right as it clogs up very easily.