How to Grow Perfect Parsnips, from Seed to Harvest

I love Eric’s T shirt

Parsnips really need a hard frost in the fall. They become so sweet. In cold climates, cover them over with about 5” of leaves, mark the rows and you can harvest all winter. I live in Ontario Canada, we’ve been growing parsnips for over 50 years. This year, I harvested my last parsnips from my little garden in March 2026. I do the pre sprouting too.

When you say "harder to grow in America", I think what you really mean is "harder to grow cool weather crops in my year-round warm sunshine" 😂

You can overwinter parsnips in cold climates and pull them as soon as the ground is warm enough. I grew a monster parsnip one year, it was like 4' long 😂 Talk about Epic Gardening! Lol Thought it would be woody, but it was so sweet. I haven't done them for a few years, I should try them again! They are amazing roasted and store well. So great to be able to harvest from your garden in April when you're in zone 5b! 😊

Growing parsnips for the first time this year. I live in Norway and I direct sowed them a month ago and now they are sprouting. Still pretty cold here, night temperature around 36 degrees Fahrenheit.

Hey Eric……Love the T-shirt 😂😂😂

That tshirt is epic 😂

This is the most practical parsnip guide I’ve ever seen. I especially loved the pro-tip about using burlap to retain moisture and the safety warning about the phototoxic sap in the leaves—I had no idea! Your explanation of 'germination math' was also incredibly helpful for avoiding patchy beds. You’ve turned a complex process into an easy-to-follow masterclass. Great job!👍👍

Tropical gardener from Guyana here . In our heat we cannot grow parsnip but I love seeing how it grows in cooler climates!

As a new channel. You have always been my motivation