Parsnip seeds

[PatioGardener]

Hi,
As a novice I have been hungrily browsing this great forum, I have not seen it explicitly but have gathered that old Parsnip seeds are useless? Do I need to buy new ones every year?, are there any other veggie seeds which have the same issue?
Thanks in advance,
PatioGardener

[Flummery]

They aren't useless - try a few out on sme damp kitchen towel inside a poly bag. if enough germinate to make it worth sowing them, then risk it. The problem is that as their germination is notoriously less good as time goes by, you find you have gappy rows. I get iffy germination outdoors anyway and get gaps with fresh seed. I understand onions are less good with time too but I sowed some of last years a few days ago and have a nice crop of 'grass' already!

Other seeds, tomatoes, beans, peas brassicas - seem to go on forever. You can always try the germination test if unsure.

Don't be suckered into buying fresh seeds for everything every year. Your gardening books will tell you to. They are in cahoots with the seed producers I reckon! Good luck.

[PatioGardener]

Thanks Flummery! I'll do exactly that.

[Flummery]

Welcome to the grapevine by the way - how rude of me!

[snakeshack]

my mum planted loofah seeds last year which were about 8 years old and everyone came up.saved the seeds too

[Cutecumber]

Is this the first parsnip germination thread of 2009?

How many do you think we'll have in total?

[zazen999]

Is this the first parsnip germination thread of 2009?

How many do you think we'll have in total?

Not another sweepstake!!!

[Alastair]

Germinating Parsnip seed

Hi. This year will be my first attempt at growing Parsnips, I seem to remember reading something about putting/pouring hot water on the seeds before sowing. Is this right or does anyone have any suggestions about getting the best germination from these seeds??

[emilymup]

Hi Alastair. I got my 'top tips' on germinating parsnips from the growing techniques thread. Vegman explained it very clearly and simply!! Thats how I am going to be trying to do mine this year. Good Luck!!

[Two_Sheds]

Not parsnips again already !

[Two_Sheds]

there are 62 old parsnip threads. Take your pick! Grow Your Own - Growing, How To Grow Tomatoes Growing Fruit & Veg - Recipe Advice, Organic food Gardening, Chickens, Seeds for Sale

[bazzaboy]

LOL... Alastair, as you might have gathered the subject (and magic) of getting parsnip seeds to germinate is an annual on this List.... The particular method you mention is discussed here:
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ips_11646.html
It's also worth using the "Search" facility on the top menu, entering something like "germinating parsnips", and sorting through the mass of advice and tips. Incidentally a regular tip for parsnips is to use fresh seed. The other is to have patience. I always think they're worth the effort, one of my favourites. Good luck! b.

[zazen999]

It's like the first sign of spring, the first parsnip thread on here. That means - it's a GOOD thing.

[bazzaboy]

LOL.... it's the "green shoot" we've all been waiting for, Zazan, (even if it's probably not a parsnip...). b.

[TonyF]

Towards then end of last year, being a loose end, I got 10 of my growing buckets, topped them up with growing compost and put parsnip seeds in 5 and carrot seeds in 5.

Moved them against a south facing wall, under the eaves of the house - as much as we have eaves and in a few weeks notices there were sprouts in all of them.

Overwinter had two gales of 120km, sustained torrential rain, snow, the lot.

And the seedlets are still there, still alive and starting to look stronger with the longer days. So it looks as tho this year me parsnips are off to a flying start