Parsnip seeds

[Birdie Wife]

I got a 'star tip' published for my method of germinating parsnips - it involves making holes in the soil and pouring boiling water down them, let it drain before sowing your seed on top and don't water again unless it's seriously drying out works for parsley too, also usually a bu***r to germinate. Don't pour boiling water on your seeds!!

[Eyren]

The boiling water trick worked a treat for my parsley (I now have The Parsley Plant That Will Not Die in my raised bed!), but it's a mile walk to my lottie and there's no electricity, so I can't see it happening for my parsnips!

I'm giving the airing-cupboard-and-loo-roll method a try - this is my first year growing parsnips, so I'll be interested to see how it works out...

[lynda66]

The boiling water trick worked a treat for my parsley (I now have The Parsley Plant That Will Not Die in my raised bed!), but it's a mile walk to my lottie and there's no electricity, so I can't see it happening for my parsnips!

I'm giving the airing-cupboard-and-loo-roll method a try - this is my first year growing parsnips, so I'll be interested to see how it works out...

take a flask

[Eyren]

take a flask

The flask is for my tea

[janeyo]

They might germinate in tea... worth a go as they are so tricky lol

[lynda66]

The flask is for my tea

get an extra flask .... you can't use tea, you'd die of thirst while you're there

[shirlthegirl43]

I have germinated seeds on damp kitchen towel. I got that far last year too. Next question for me is....

How much of what do you cover the sprouted seed with? I have my loo roll middles all ready filled with moist seived multi-purpose compost. I really need to know what is best to cover them with and by how deep as this is the point where I lost 30 sprouted seeds last year. Want to grow my own parsnips this year so I can make wine with them.

[Flummery]

I just put the titchiest amount of compost over the top Shirley. The plant is already going at this stage and don't forget to plant it out as soon as you see true leaves because the taproot will be out the bottom in no time.

[Hazel at the Hill]

I have germinated seeds on damp kitchen towel.

How long has it taken, Shirley? I have my home saved parsnip seed from last year on the kitchen windowside (on kitchen roll covered over with a poly bag) and it shows no sign of anything after 2 wks. I know that they can take a long time to germinate, but there are limits!

Want to grow my own parsnips this year so I can make wine with them.

Good girl!

[shirlthegirl43]

Thanks Flummery - would vermiculite be better?

Hazel, as far as I can remember they were 'put to go' on 31 January - still a chance for yours as the sprouts were only visible day before yesterday. No poly bag here though and sprayed with room temp water whenever they seemed a bit dry.

[zazen999]

If I remember rightly from last year - it was a good 3-4 weeks for the little monkeys to germinate and remember Snadger saying about them having to go to Australia first???

I'm sorting out chillis for a grape tonight but if I get time - I think mine are going onto Kitchen roll tonight. If not, then tomorrow.

[vegnut]

I just chuck them in the ground and sprinkle some old compost from last years pots or grow bags on top. It marks the row and doesn't cake over, to stop the snip seeds emerging. Does it for me.

[Hazel at the Hill]

If I remember rightly from last year - it was a good 3-4 weeks for the little monkeys to germinate and remember Snadger saying about them having to go to Australia first???

Honestly, I could have hitched a ride with 'em and have got a free holiday to Oz!

What's the saying - 'a lie is half way around the world before the truth has got its boots on'? Terry Pratchett in recent literature, I know, but not the source which he will have woven it from - world's most prolific magpie, that man!

[TonyF]

Growing parsnips is, to me, one of the indicators of what all gardeners should have, patience.

Gardening in general isn't quick, seeds do their seed things in their own seed ways. It's ok buying plants like toms, aubergines, courgettes etc, do it myself. But it's the seeds that always interest me the most and growing parsnips is like growing anything else - you do what you do, the seeds do what they do and then you wait.

Waiting is good, parsnips aren't instant gardening, they're gardener's gardening

[Flummery]

You could use vermiculite Shirley but I never do. I read something ages ago about the massive carbon footprint involved - never gone for it.