His name is Jacky Mercier, our organic market gardener, he sows his parsnips this February in Frontenay sur Dive. The parsnip and its sweet taste is a root vegetable that requires a little attention. It is not rare that the first attempt is not conclusive.
It needs constant moisture for germination, sowing it in February is where I’ve had the best success with it.
It can be sown until June.
We sow it in a row and we will thin out when it emerges, which can take about a month. Remember to tamp down well when rolling.
Jacky’s tip:
Cover with a winter veil, so the “weeds” will grow before the parsnips and you can burn them as soon as the first stems appear.
Which is less tedious than weeding afterwards when the weeds are at adult size.
Be humble: your first attempt at sowing parsnips will not necessarily be your master stroke.