parsnip remnants ...

Hi All.

Grew some parsnips last year (first time they'd grown OK) , and there are now what look like some small parsnips in the same spot. A few were dug up in december, and potted up and seem to be doing nicely in the greenhouse. Will any of them eventually yield any parsnips - what to do?

any ideas welcome...

cheers,
Dave

 

Dave, I think they will probably run to seed. Much better to start afresh.

 

Hello Dave, I have recently covered this topic on my website, if you replant the Parsnips they will run to seed which will be ready for you to harvest in late Summer, these will then be your seed for next year's Parsnips and if you continue to do this you will always have a fresh supply of seed to use, which with Parsnips is what you want as they germinate best with fresh seed rather than seed that is more than a season old, regards Steve.

http://www.myallotments.com

 

Unless you are using F1 seed.

 

Must admit I was under the impression you leave them in the ground and dig them up as you need them.I had some which kept well over winter in the ground where they grew.
John

 

They are "tender and true" variety from Carters' seeds. (Wyevale el-cheapo range)
AFAIK, they're not F1 Hybrids......?
I've got a patch in the garden that I plan to let go to seed - leeks, onions, parsnips (hopefully). There are Choggia pink, and boltardy beetroots there, will they produce seed?

I like the idea of not buying seed unless I need to - 3rd generation Charlotte spuds and flat leaved parsley this year, and 4th generation peppers

Are there any seeds to avoid trying to save?

Last year I let a carrot go to seed (Autumn King), but didn't get anything useful seedwise - it looked like a cowslip, but no proper seeds......

Thanks for the tips so far everyone. I wasn't able to do much last year for various reasons, but this year will hopefully be different.

cheers,
Dave

 

I don`t think so, Dave, except, as I said, F1 or F2 varieties. I don`t know how easy it will be to get Bolthardy to flower, they are called Bolthardy because they are resistant to bolting, or running to seed.

 

Can anyone recommend a website that gives info on saving seeds?

Cheers

 

http://www.theseedsite.co.uk/
This one looks ok. Give a try tc.
John