Parsnips
In my vegetable patch, one plant towers over all the rest – taller than the beans, the tomatoes and even the dwarf apple tress. It is the parsnip I grew from seed two seasons ago. It takes up a whole corner of the garden. I fancy the root must now be thicker than my leg, and penetrating deep under the soil. Why is it there? The reason, dear reader, is because I love parsnip.
Lots of people have problems growing parsnips, but it is easy once you know one simple fact. You must have very, very fresh seed. Even week-old seed will give you disappointing germination rates. The best way to get parsnips in your garden is to buy a packet of non-hybrid commercial seed, sow the lot, expect to get (if you are lucky) one or two to germinate, and then don’t pick them. Let them grow on over two seasons, at which point they will flower and go to seed. Collect and scatter that seed, and for ever more parsnips will grow like weeds in your garden, which is great if you are like me.
I love their sweet earthy taste, particularly roasted until they are slightly caramelised. Yum!