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SeedStepsYour vegetable garden, one step at a time.My gardenLong, cream-coloured roots with smooth skin. Choose White King for a classic, long storage vegetable. Its own row gives autumn roots to lift meal by meal.
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
This growing advice helps you choose. Your variety, growth stage, weather and conditions in your space determine the actual timing.
Sow directly · Parsnip
March–April; follow species and cultivar guidanceSow in the final position in deeply workable soil. Wait during cold or waterlogging.
This taproot crop stays where sown. Parsnip needs fresh seed and can germinate slowly; follow separate seed guidance for scorzonera, salsify and root parsley.
Royal Horticultural Society · Pastinaak kweken ↗Soort- of productgebonden bron; buitenlandse perioden zijn geen vaste Nederlandse zaaidatum.
Feggies · Pastinaak guernsey – biologische groentezaden (zachte zoete smaak) ↗Nederlandse producent of teeltbron; de rasinstructie blijft leidend.
Guideline periods for the Netherlands and Flanders. Check the variety, available light, soil and measured temperatures. Greenhouse heating does not guarantee enough winter light.
The source context and any limitations are in the background information at the bottom.
Compare with another varietyWhite King has the familiar aromatic character of parsnip. The smooth, cream-coloured root is the substantiated cultivar description; an extra-sweet tasting score has not been established.
This flavour description applies to the crop; a separate taste test for this variety is not supported by evidence.Scrub the smooth roots clean and roast wedges with thyme. For soup, briefly fry root pieces first to release the aroma.
Why choose it? Choose White King for a classic, long storage vegetable. Its own row gives autumn roots to lift meal by meal.
The options below belong to the plant. From these, choose the method that suits your variety's growth habit.
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
Light, deep soil gives the root room to grow straight.
For long varieties in a deep, workable bed.
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This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
With shallow or heavy soil, a well-filled raised bed can be a practical solution.
For limited soil depth; a shallow balcony container is no suitable alternative for long parsnips.
Tick off your supplies →Long, cream-coloured roots with smooth skin.
Choose White King for a classic, long storage vegetable. Its own row gives autumn roots to lift meal by meal.
White King has the familiar aromatic character of parsnip. The smooth, cream-coloured root is the substantiated cultivar description; an extra-sweet tasting score has not been established.
Scrub the smooth roots clean and roast wedges with thyme. For soup, briefly fry root pieces first to release the aroma.
Sow directly and let the roots grow in place. Keep the bed moist during emergence, thin in good time and leave room for the final long shape.
Harvest gradually from autumn while the soil remains workable. Loosen the soil generously with a fork and keep damaged roots separate for immediate use.
Guernsey: Pale parsnip root for a sweet autumn meal. Roast equal pieces with a little oil or combine the root with onion in soup. First mix a modest amount into potato mash to control the aroma.
Guernsey is described as mild and sweet. Its recognisable parsnip aroma emerges during roasting; this description does not provide a fixed sweetness score against other parsnips.
Long Turga: Even, long roots of about 25–30 centimetres. Cut long roots into equally thick batons for the oven. The even shape helps several pieces cook together without burning thin ends.
Long Turga has the aromatic, slightly sweet character of parsnip. The source mainly supports its length and uniformity, so no more distinctive aroma than Guernsey is promised.
White King: Long, cream-coloured roots with smooth skin. Scrub the smooth roots clean and roast wedges with thyme. For soup, briefly fry root pieces first to release the aroma.
White King has the familiar aromatic character of parsnip. The smooth, cream-coloured root is the substantiated cultivar description; an extra-sweet tasting score has not been established.
Rond vroeg: Short, spinning-top root type for shallower soil. Roast small roots or cut the broad top into equal wedges. The shorter shape requires fewer long batons and suits smaller portions.
This type is described as having sweet white flesh. Its short shape mainly changes how it grows; extra sweetness compared with long parsnips has not been proved.
Many parsnips form long tapering roots. Shallow, stony or heavy soil may suit shorter types. Match choice to available depth. Raised beds need genuinely deep loose soil; attractive thin surface layers do not solve hard layers beneath.
Remove stones from the growing zone and loosen compacted soil where needed. Do not work fresh manure or much coarse organic material into the row immediately before sowing; this can encourage forked roots. Previously improved soil offers a steadier starting point. Rotate this root crop to a different place from last time.
Parsnip seed loses viability relatively quickly. Use fresh seed for reliability and sow directly. Raising and transplanting can damage taproots and alter shape. Prefer a neat final-position seed strip to indoor pots needing transfer.
Germination can take several weeks. Keep the strip moist and weed carefully before weeds hide the young plants. Wait to assess time and conditions before sowing again. An early calendar date is not always an advantage: emergence can be better in warmed spring soil than cold, wet February earth.
Thin clearly recognisable seedlings. About 15 cm is a useful start for many long varieties; refine by label. Minimise root damage. Row markers distinguish young parsnips from fast weeds during the work.
Water remains important after emergence. Prolonged drought reduces quality; sudden moisture changes can encourage cracking. For abnormal roots, inspect structure, stones and previous cultivation. Carrot fly also attacks parsnip. Include site and protective mesh in clean varied garden plans.
Loosen soil beside the parsnip and carefully lift the root. Do not pull only on the foliage, as a long root can break. Start with one test root and assess size and quality. Some can remain in suitable winter soil; immediate lifting is difficult when soil is frozen.
Harvest as needed when weather and soil allow. Use damaged roots first and keep lifted ones cool against drying. Note shape, flavour and sowing time. Branched roots may remain usable while revealing soil improvements for the next crop.
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SeedSteps editorial team · updated on 11 October 2026. The AI images illustrate species and practical growing situations; they do not prove an exact cultivar, observations from your own garden or yield.
Britse gewasadviezen worden gecombineerd met Nederlandse en Vlaamse informatie waar beschikbaar. Amerikaanse Extension-bronnen ondersteunen plantprincipes en herkenning; hun kalenderdata, lokale plaagdruk, bestrijdingsmiddelen en mestdoseringen worden niet rechtstreeks op Nederland of Vlaanderen toegepast. Vorst, bodemwarmte, standplaats en expliciete rasinformatie blijven de lokale controle. Commerciële bronnen onderbouwen uitsluitend benoemde ras- en plantkenmerken; zij zijn geen affiliate-aanbeveling.
Supporting evidence by chapter: Why grow White King?: Feggies. How this choice tastes: Feggies. From harvest to kitchen: Feggies. What needs attention when growing: Feggies. Choose by flavour, shape and use: Feggies, Feggies, Feggies, Feggies. Match the root shape to the soil: Royal Horticultural Society, University of Minnesota Extension. Prepare the spot steadily in advance: Royal Horticultural Society, University of Minnesota Extension. Sow fresh seed directly: Royal Horticultural Society, University of Minnesota Extension. Give the seed row time: Royal Horticultural Society, University of Minnesota Extension. Leave space between young plants: Royal Horticultural Society, University of Minnesota Extension. Prevent dry interruptions and root damage: Royal Horticultural Society, University of Minnesota Extension. Harvest with room for the long root: Royal Horticultural Society, University of Minnesota Extension. Use the bed as a small store: Royal Horticultural Society, University of Minnesota Extension.
Fruit shape: long, smooth Beschrijving van de genoemde rasbron; geen eigen tuinwaarneming. Feggies
Main colour: cream Beschrijving van de genoemde rasbron; geen eigen tuinwaarneming. Feggies