Tips for growing Parsnips

Dai.

All I'm saying is, that this method works for me. I NEVER have any gaps, like I used to. It's of course possible that I could have tried other methods, and they may well have worked. But, this works for me

Cheers...Freddy.

 

Freddy, do you get weed seed germinating around your way in mid Feb?

We dont round here.

If weeds cant germinate veg seed wont.

Mid March is the earliest for any seed sowing in open ground I reckon, and some years its well into April.

 

With my way, there is no fear of bolting. You say that once through they must be planted immediately. What if the ground is frozen or waterlogged? Or is covered in snow?

 

Dai.

With this method, I will generally sow around mid March. Obviously, I take into account what the general conditions are. But surely, one could sow into the open ground, and then find that the weather takes a turn for the worse, and suffer from poor germination? For me, this has worked, and considering the winters we've had over the last three years, I'm satisfied

Cheers...Freddy.

 

Hiya pete.

You are probably right. Like I said, in the past (going way back), I sowed mine mid Feb in the open ground, and it may well be the case that had I waited until mid March, then the results could have been more successful. It's just that for me, this method works. By no means am I putting down other methods

 

Fred, as long as you are happy with the way you are growing parsnips then that is all that matters. Every gardener has differant ways of growing veg/flowers, as long as they are happy with the results they get, then that is all that matters. I am here for you if you need advice on something you are NOT happy with.

 

Dai, you're a star BTW, did you take a look at that 'snip'? Aint she a beauty? :D

 

Nor would I dare to put your methods down Freddie.

Its just that a humble veg like parsnip seems to be given all kinds of specialist treatment.
I can understand that if you want to exihibit, but it does make growing them sound very difficult.

Its a hardy veg thats been grown for years, long before toilet rolls were invented.:D

 

Absolutely right pete.

Thing is, I LOVE Parsnips. Not looking for show-winners, just reliability

 

Sure is Freddy

Someone did an experiment some years back, took a wild parsnip & selected the best roots from the seed, took 10 years to produce a decent size root from the wild stock.

That was pre internet days but if anyone has a copy say from an RHS publication or similar, it would be good reading.

 

Bit of a warm subject of which is best, I will give them all a go to see which is best for Me and the soil, Thankyou all very very much indeedfor the comments hopefully i will grow some nice ones

 

It's coming to get you !

Dug up our first parsnip this morning - somewhat forked but weighing in at 3lbs/1.5kg. Put me in mind of something in a science fiction film!

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Nice one Dave,

Wait till the Mrs is asleep & then put it on the pillow next to her.

 

Sowed some at the weekend using that method. The white pot trays that Homebase use for 20 mini cacti pots are ideal for standing cheapo narrow toilet roll/kitchen roll tubes in and the larger tubes (from posh toilet rolls) fit nicely in Poundland 20x modular cell trays - it's just that I get plagued with mould on tubes if they're packed closely together. Hopefully they will be a month ahead of those sown direct next month.

 

Hiya Scrungee.

I too get that mould, but haven't found that it causes any problems. I sowed mine three weeks ago, and by last wednesday, some were up, and were planted out the same day. However, as I was away over the weekend, more had germinated and weren't planted in time, they were already at the bottom of the core. So, as I said before, it's vital to plant them straight away once they show.

Cheers...Freddy.