Parsnip Seeds – Non-GMO Heirloom

The sweet, nutty winter root worth a spot in your garden

Parsnips (Pastinaca sativa) are the underrated star of the winter garden, a hardy root vegetable with long, ivory roots and a rich, sweet, nutty flavor. A relative of the carrot, the parsnip grows slowly through the season and then works its quiet magic in the cold: frost converts its starches to sugar, so roots left in the ground until after a hard freeze taste sweeter than any you can buy. Handsome ferny tops and dependable winter storage make parsnips well worth the wait.

How to grow parsnips from seed

Parsnips reward patience and always fresh seed. Direct-sow parsnip seeds about half an inch deep in deep, loose, stone-free soil in full sun, keeping the surface moist, as germination is slow and can take 2 to 3 weeks. Thin the seedlings to stand 3 to 4 inches apart, and expect a long season of 100 to 120 days to mature roots. Because parsnips form a long taproot, they must be sown where they will grow and never transplanted. For the full step-by-step, see our complete guide to growing parsnips from seed.

How to use parsnips

Parsnips are a cold-weather comfort in the kitchen. Roast them until their edges caramelize and turn candy-sweet, mash them alone or with potatoes, or simmer them into velvety soups and purees. They add depth to stews, stocks, and root-vegetable bakes, and can be shaved into chips or grated into fritters. Their natural sweetness even carries into spiced cakes and quick breads, much like carrot, so parsnips move easily from savory to sweet.

Parsnips and their root-vegetable cousins

If you love growing parsnips, try their fellow roots. Sow carrots for their sweet, crunchy cousin in the same family, beets for earthy roots and edible greens, or turnips for another hearty, cold-hardy winter root. Explore the full range in our vegetable seeds collection.

Why buy parsnip seeds from Organo Republic

Every packet of parsnip seed we sell is non-GMO, open-pollinated heirloom, and germination tested, so you can sow with confidence. As a U.S.-based licensed seed dealer, we work directly with trusted growers to keep quality high and prices low, and every pack carries a QR code that links straight to free online growing guidance. Orders over $49 ship free. Whether you want a single pack of parsnips or a curated vegetable collection, you will find dependable, easy-to-grow seed here.