What to do in the garden this March

Parsnips

published 28 March 2010

The parsnip lover should act now to ensure next winter's supplies. Sow the flat seeds in shallow drills with a foot between rows. The seedlings take a good three weeks to show, so it's not a bad idea to sow some radish in the same row as rapid markers that can be pulled as a catch crop at will. The parsnip top is a coarse-looking thing compared with the elegant carrot, but it will prove its worth when the first frost of autumn sweetens the great root, a distinctively British culinary enthusiasm. Try Tender and True, my favourite.

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