Parsnips can be prepared in soups, casseroles, or roasted and are enjoyed alongside other vegetables. To grow parsnips, prepare the soil in autumn with a general purpose fertilizer and sow seeds thinly in spring, which can take up to five weeks to germinate. Parsnips don't require much care after planting and can be left in the ground until needed. Recommended varieties include 'Tender and True' and 'Gladiator' which produce smooth, tapered roots suitable for small gardens.