PARSNIP Seeds, Harris Model

Harris Model (Pastinaca sativa 'Harris Model') is a heirloom parsnip producing long, smooth, cream-colored roots with sweet, nutty flesh. A dependable cool-season root crop whose flavor sweetens after a fall frost.

At a glance

• Botanical name: Pastinaca sativa 'Harris Model'
• Type: Heirloom, open-pollinated root vegetable
• Days to maturity: about 100 to 120 days
• Sun: Full sun
• Spacing: 3 to 4 inches apart in rows 18 to 24 inches apart
• Planting depth: 1/2 inch
• Mature height: 18 to 24 inches of foliage

Best for

• Roasting and mashing
• Soups, stews, and casseroles
• Winter root-cellar storage
• Fall and winter harvests sweetened by frost
• Adding fiber and nutrients to meals

How to grow

Sow seeds 1/2 inch deep directly in deep, loose, stone-free soil so the roots grow straight. Use fresh seed each year, since parsnip seed is short-lived. Keep the soil moist for even germination, which can be slow. Grow in full sun and water consistently through the season. Harvest after the first frosts for the sweetest roots.

Flavor profile

Sweet, nutty, and earthy, with sweetness that deepens after frost.

About 99Heirlooms

99Heirlooms specializes in non-GMO, open-pollinated heirloom seeds chosen for flavor and reliability, so you can grow proven varieties and save seed season after season.

Sold by 99Heirlooms.com, based in Saint Paul, Minnesota.