“We are seeing a steady increase in sales of parsnip seeds”, says Kraig Kuykendall with Tozer Seeds America. Tozer is the pioneer of the first F1 parsnip hybrid that was developed in the UK over three decades ago. Consumers are enjoying parsnips for their health benefits and versatility as they can be cooked and eaten in many different ways. Food Network is claiming parsnips to be a new superfood on the rise. Typically a winter vegetable, parsnips are now available year-round in supermarkets and farmer’s markets throughout the US.
More uniformity
Hybrid parsnips are a lot stronger and much more uniform than the non-hybrid varieties. “Parsnips are a difficult root vegetable to grow,” said Kuykendall. “They are a weak and slowly growing product with different root sizes.” Development of hybrid varieties has resulted in a more vigorous product that is uniform in shape and size. Tozer sells different hybrid varieties that all have their individual characteristics. Gladiator, the world’s first commercial F1 hybrid parsnip, matures quicker. The Javelin variety on the other hand is resistant to root canker and is the highest yielding variety while the Albion variety is preferred by some customers for its white color.“North American growing regions for parsnips are at the same northern latitude as the UK,” said Kuykendall. “As a result, Michigan, New York, Oregon and Washington are the largest parsnip growing states in the US.” In Canada, parsnips are grown in Quebec and Ontario.
Tozer Seeds America is the US branch of Tozer Seeds, the largest independent and family-owned vegetable breeding company in the UK. Tozer Seeds specializes in breeding, production and distribution of quality vegetable seed. Tozer Seeds America opened in 2008 and is located in Santa Maria, California.
Click here for Tozer’s press release.
For more information
Kraig Kuykendall
Tozer Seeds America
Tel: (+1) 805-922-6300