Crop type: Parsnips
Pastinaca sativa ‘Picador’
Common name: Parsnip ‘Picador’
Crop slug: parsnips
This Allotment Pro editorial draft summarises the cited RHS cultivar profile and its linked crop guidance. Check the sources and adjust cultivation decisions for local conditions.RHS cultivar profile
1 - Overview
‘Picador’ is a vigorous F1 hybrid AGM parsnip that produces long, smooth roots. It needs a long growing season to develop fully, so timely direct sowing and a deeply prepared seedbed are important. Its good resistance to parsnip canker is especially useful where the disease has previously marked or damaged susceptible roots.
Use fresh seed and allow the crop to mature steadily rather than trying to accelerate it with rich, freshly manured ground.
2 - Size
- Ultimate foliage height
- 0.1–0.5 metre
- Ultimate spread
- 0.1–0.5 metre
- Time to maturity
- one long growing season
- Root form
- long and smooth
Thin seedlings to one plant every 15cm and keep rows 30cm apart. The spacing lets the vigorous foliage develop while each taproot extends without crowding.
3 - Growing conditions
- Suitable soils
- Deep, light, stone-free loam or sand; carefully loosened heavier ground
- Moisture
- Moist but well drained
- Preferred pH
- Acid to neutral
Prepare the full root depth and remove stones or compacted clods that could divert the taproot. Do not add fresh manure immediately before sowing because it encourages forking. Keep moisture even throughout active growth to reduce splitting.
4 - Position and hardiness
- Light
- Full sun or partial shade
- Aspect
- East-, south- or west-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- Hardiness
- Hardy for winter harvesting
The roots can remain in the ground after the foliage dies back and their flavour improves after frost. Mark the rows and protect a section with straw if prolonged frozen soil would prevent lifting.
5 - Colour and seasonal interest
‘Picador’ makes substantial, long, evenly tapered roots with smooth pale cream to white skin. Vigorous green, divided parsnip foliage forms above the crown through summer before dying back in cold weather.
6 - Botanical details
- Family
- Apiaceae
- Native to Great Britain and Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Name status
- Accepted
Genus
Pastinaca is a small genus of carrot-family biennials. Cultivated parsnips store energy in edible sweet taproots during their first year and produce umbels if allowed to flower in their second.
Safety
Sap from parsnip foliage can make skin sensitive to sunlight. Wear gloves and cover exposed arms when handling the crop in bright conditions. The cultivated root is edible after ordinary preparation.
7 - How to grow
Cultivation
Sow fresh seed directly from March to early May when soil is close to 12°C, favouring the earlier part of the window so this long-season hybrid has ample time to bulk up. Make drills 1cm deep and sow three seeds at 15cm stations, leaving 30cm between rows. Germination may take 14–30 days. Thin each station to its strongest seedling.
Weed carefully and water in dry spells without saturating the soil. Protect from carrot fly with fine insect mesh. Lift mature roots after frost from autumn onward, or leave sound roots in the ground for winter use.
Propagation
Propagate by fresh seed sown directly. Do not transplant the developing taproot.
Suggested locations
- Productive vegetable plot
- Deep raised bed
- Cottage or informal garden
- Wildlife garden
- Deep container
Pruning
No pruning is required. After lifting, trim foliage without cutting deeply into the crown.
Pests
May be susceptible to carrot fly. Install fine mesh from sowing and maintain crop rotation.
Diseases
‘Picador’ has good resistance to parsnip canker. Resistance does not replace sound drainage, careful handling and rotation.