How to Grow Parsnip Hollow Crown
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Parsnip Hollow Crown
Pastinaca sativa 'Hollow Crown'
vegetableHollow Crown is a heritage parsnip variety prized for its long, smooth, cream-colored roots with a characteristic hollow core near the shoulder. Known for excellent flavor and tenderness, this cultivar is particularly cold-hardy and becomes sweeter after frost exposure. It's an heirloom variety that has been grown for centuries and remains a favorite among gardeners for both culinary and storage purposes.
When should you plant Parsnip Hollow Crown in your zone?
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Example Parsnip Hollow Crown timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Parsnip Hollow Crown
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Parsnip Hollow Crown
Around Aug 15≈ 120 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Parsnip Hollow Crown dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; most successful in zones 4-8 where winters provide natural sweetening through frost
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Get my Parsnip Hollow Crown timeline →Growth Stages
Germination & Seedling
3-4 weeksSeeds are slow to germinate (14-28 days); seedlings develop feathery green foliage that emerges above soil. Initial growth is slow as roots establish.
Keep soil consistently moist during germination. Thin seedlings to 3-inch spacing once true leaves appear. Do not allow soil to crust over. Mark rows clearly as germination is unreliable.
Root Development & Vegetative
60-80 daysFeathery, fern-like foliage grows 12-18 inches tall while roots lengthen beneath soil. Leaves are bright green and compound. Most of the growing season is spent building the root system.
Remove competing weeds regularly. Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds without disturbing shallow surface roots. Do not compact soil. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers which promote forking.
Root Expansion
40-50 daysRoots thicken and lengthen, reaching 8-12 inches deep. The characteristic hollow forms near the shoulder. Foliage remains consistent.
Continue consistent watering. Gently hill soil around shoulders if roots become exposed. Maintain weed control. Begin reducing nitrogen input.
Maturation & Sweetening
10-20+ days post-frostRoots reach full size; foliage begins to yellow and fade. After first frost, starches convert to sugars, greatly improving flavor and sweetness.
Allow plants to experience frost exposure for maximum sweetness (parsnips can tolerate temperatures as low as -10°F). Continue watering if no rain falls. Do not harvest immediately after frost; allow 1-2 weeks for flavor to fully develop.
Harvest & Storage
Ongoing through winterRoots are firm, fully sized, and sweet. Foliage may be entirely dormant or dead. Roots can remain in ground as natural storage through winter in most zones.
Harvest anytime after maturity through winter/early spring. In mild climates, leave roots in ground through winter, harvesting as needed. In cold climates, harvest before severe freezing and store in cool conditions.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use row covers over seedlings; encourage beneficial insects; rotate crops; apply neem oil if needed
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Remove infested foliage; encourage natural predators; crop rotation; timely harvest before late summer peak
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Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap; encourage ladybugs and lacewings
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and
Hand-pick; use copper barriers; encourage ground beetles; avoid overwatering
Uses
Roasting & Cooking
CulinaryParsnips develop a sweet, slightly nutty flavor when roasted, making them an excellent fall and winter vegetable. Roots can be roasted, mashed, pureed into soups, or used in stews and braises. [source]
Traditional Dishes & Heritage Use
CulinaryHollow Crown is the traditional parsnip variety used in European cuisine for centuries, particularly in British root vegetable dishes, soups, and as a winter staple. Its known sweetness after frost made it a valued kitchen garden vegetable. [source]
Traditional Herbal & Nutritional
MedicinalParsnips are rich in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, with traditional use in herbalism for digestive support and general wellness. Modern nutritional research supports their role as a nutrient-dense root vegetable. [source]
Long-term Storage & Winter Supply
HouseholdHollow Crown can be stored for months in cool conditions or left in the ground as a natural cold storage solution, providing fresh vegetables through winter without refrigeration. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeIf left to bolt into its second year, parsnips produce delicate yellow flower clusters that attract beneficial insects, bees, and other pollinators to the garden. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest after first killing frost for best flavor (frost converts starches to sugars). In zones 3-6, leave roots in ground as natural storage through winter, mulching heavily. In warmer zones, harvest in fall and store in a cool (32-40°F), humid place, or leave in ground and harvest as needed. Dig carefully to avoid damaging the long roots; use a spading fork to loosen soil first. Roots can be left in ground and harvested from fall through spring depending on climate.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Hollow Crown is an heirloom variety that dates back centuries and was described in seed catalogs as early as the 1700s, making it one of the oldest named parsnip cultivars still in cultivation.
- 🌱 Parsnips actually improve in flavor after exposure to frost—freezing temperatures trigger an enzymatic conversion of starches into sugars, which is why they taste considerably sweeter in late fall and winter than in late summer.
- 🌱 The 'hollow crown' characteristic—the slight depression or hollow near the shoulder of the root—is actually a sought-after feature among gardeners, as it indicates a high-quality, tender heirloom plant.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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