Crop type: Parsnips
Pastinaca sativa ‘Pearl’
Common name: Parsnip ‘Pearl’
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
‘Pearl’ is an AGM parsnip producing very uniform, long slender roots with smooth white skin. Its principal distinction is dependable winter keeping in the ground, allowing roots to be lifted fresh as required after frost has intensified their sweetness.
Grow it in deep stone-free soil so its long, even shape is not diverted. Fresh seed and patient spring germination are essential.
2 - Size
- Ultimate foliage height
- 0.1–0.5 metre
- Ultimate spread
- 0.1–0.5 metre
- Time to maturity
- one growing season
- Root form
- very uniform, long and slender
Thin seedlings to one every 15cm, with rows 30cm apart. Adequate depth and spacing preserve the smooth straight form.
3 - Growing conditions
- Suitable soils
- Deep light loam or sand; carefully loosened chalk or clay may also be used
- Moisture
- Moist but well drained
- Preferred pH
- Acid to neutral
Keep soil evenly moist so roots do not split. Improve ground in the previous season rather than adding fresh manure before sowing, which can cause forking.
4 - Position and hardiness
- Light
- Full sun or partial shade
- Aspect
- East-, south- or west-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- Hardiness
- Hardy enough for winter ground storage
Mark the row before foliage dies back. In severe freezing conditions, insulate part of the bed with straw or lift a reserve in November.
5 - Colour and seasonal interest
The cultivar's roots are notably consistent: long, narrow, smooth and white with an even taper. Green divided foliage stands over the crown during summer, then disappears as winter storage begins.
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 biennial carrot-family plants. Cultivated parsnips produce edible sweet taproots and flower in umbels if allowed to grow for a second year.
Safety
Foliage sap can make skin sensitive to sunlight. Wear gloves and cover arms in bright weather. The cultivated root is edible after normal preparation.
7 - How to grow
Cultivation
Sow fresh seed directly from March to early May once soil is near 12°C. Use drills 1cm deep, sowing three seeds at 15cm stations with rows 30cm apart. Germination can take 14–30 days. Thin to one seedling per station.
Water during dry spells, hand-weed carefully and protect from carrot fly with fine mesh. Harvest after foliage dies back, ideally following frost, or leave the uniform roots in the ground through winter for lifting as needed.
Propagation
Propagate by fresh seed sown directly. Do not transplant.
Suggested locations
- Winter vegetable plot
- Deep raised bed
- Cottage garden
- Wildlife garden
- Deep container
Pruning
No pruning is required. Trim foliage after lifting without cutting deeply into the crown.
Pests
May be susceptible to carrot fly. Install fine mesh from sowing.
Diseases
Parsnip canker may affect damaged roots. Maintain rotation and avoid injury even when roots appear healthy.