Parsnip Half Length White [Pastinaca sativa]

The biennial parsnip 'Half Length White' is a late and versatile root vegetable variety with interesting health properties. High-yielding variety with 20-30 cm long roots and a pleasant sweet and spicy taste. Ideal for direct sowing, no pot cultivation, sowing spring-summer, good for mixed cultivation, harvesting the roots.

 Description 
The parsnip 'Half Length White' is a very old, biennial and versatile root vegetable with origins in southern and central Europe. Thousands of years ago, the root vegetable was a nutritious staple food until it was replaced by today's potatoes and carrots. The juice of the parsnip was used as medicine during the great plague epidemic. This high-yielding variety forms 20-30 cm long, very even and well-formed creamy white, wedge-shaped roots with tall, strong and healthy leaves. The white roots have a pleasant sweet and spicy taste and can be stored for a long time.

 General information 
Plant family: Apiaceae
Life cycle: Biennial
Days to harvest: 190 days
Plant height approx.: 30 cm
Root type: Deep rooter
Nutrient requirements: High
Water requirements: Medium
Winter hardiness: Up to -20°C
Location: Sunny
Soil: Permeable, stone-free, humus-rich loamy soil

pH value: 5.5 to 7

 Sowing and planting information 
Germination type: Dark germinator
Sowing depth: 1-2 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 15-20 °C
Germination time: 7-21 days
Plant and row spacing: 10x40 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 1-2 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: Lamb's lettuce, Beetroot, Spinach
Unfavorable mixed culture: Fennel, Carrot, Parsley, Celery

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Direct sowing from March to August is recommended. The plants should ideally be planted in a sunny location.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Direct sowing from April to May is recommended. The plants should ideally be planted in a sunny location.

 General recommendations 
Due to the simple and uncomplicated germination, direct sowing in rows is recommended. Due to the short shelf life of the seeds, sowing can be done very closely together and later thinned out according to the specified plant spacing.
Parsnip 'Half Length White' prefers a permeable, nutrient-rich, moist, stone-free and humus-rich loamy soil. Doesn't tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
Parsnips do not tolerate fresh manure and the soil must be free of stones larger than 2 cm. Otherwise, the roots may grow in different directions and the quality of the harvest may be significantly impaired. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water retention capacity, it is recommended to add biochar and rock flour.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds.

 Plant care 
Since parsnips germinate and grow very slowly, other plants should be removed regularly. Occasional loosening of the soil leads to good growth results. Regular watering results in faster growth with better quality roots. Fertilization is recommended after 10 weeks, depending on the condition of the soil.

 Other names 
Botanical names: Pastinaca sativa
English names: Parsnip
German names: Pastinake, Pestnake, Hammelmöhre, Hammelrübe, Moorwurzel
Portuguese names: Pastinaca
Spanish names: Chirivía, Pastinaca
French names: Panais

 Origin 
Country: Germany