Sowing – For long parsnips you need a deeply dug soil which has been manured for a previous crop. However, they will do well on ordinary well drained and cultivated soil. Sow seeds April to June, 1cm (½ inch) deep in drills 30cm (12 inches) apart. Sow clusters of 4 seeds every 20cm (8 inches) and thin out to the strongest seedlings after germination. Germination is very slow and it is helpful to sow a pinch of lettuce seeds between each cluster of seeds. They will mark the row and can be cut before the parsnips need the room.

Growing – Harvest the roots from autumn onwards, leaving them in the ground until required.

Harvest – September to February