Parsnip 'Gladiator'

'Gladiator' is an F1 hybrid parsnip that is widely regarded as the market leader for UK allotments and gardens. It is highly valued for its resistance to canker, a common fungal disease that causes unsightly brown rot on the shoulders of traditional parsnip varieties. 'Gladiator' produces large, uniform, wedge-shaped roots with smooth, cream-coloured skin and a sweet, nutty flavour. The seeds should be sown directly into the soil from March to May; parsnips are notoriously slow to germinate and require patience. They need a deep, stone-free soil to allow the roots to grow straight and long without forking. Like many root vegetables, the flavour of parsnips is significantly improved by the first hard frosts of winter, which convert the starches in the root into sugars. This makes 'Gladiator' an essential crop for winter roasts and Christmas dinner. The roots can be left in the ground and harvested as needed from October until March. The foliage is robust and provides good ground cover through the summer months.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Light, deep, stone-free soil.

Hardiness: H4 — down to −10°C.

Flowering: Jun, Jul.