Loosen the soil to a depth of 2 feet and remove rocks and clods. As soon as your soil can be worked, sow seeds 1/2 inch deep and 1 inch apart in rows that are 6 inches apart. Keep the seedbed evenly moist. Be patient. Parsnips can take more than two weeks to germinate. (organicgardening.com)
Guarantee better germination by using a fresh packet of seeds (parsnip-seed viability drops off dramatically after 1 year) and soaking them overnight before planting. (organicgardening.com)

Harvest parsnips after they have been exposed to freezing temperatures. Cold weather improves flavor and sweetness, as the starches turn to sugars. (gardenersnet.com)

Do not grab the plant to pull out the roots. The plant will almost always break away from the roots. Rather, dig out roots with a shovel or pitch fork.(gardenersnet.com)

Parsnips are excellent for over-wintering in the soil. You should be able to harvest roots well into the spring. Cover the area with mulch or straw, to keep ground from freezing. (gardenersnet.com)

Parsnips are members of the carrot family. This plant is native to the Mediterranean, where early Greeks and Romans grew parsnips.
In Ireland, a beer was made from parsnip roots, by boiling the roots with water and hops. (gardenersnet.com)