Parsnips next to carrots?

[FionaH]

I have planted some carrots in rows a foot apart. Could I plant parsnips between the rows or would the roots be too congested? Maybe I would be better off planting shallow roots like lettuce there instead?

[Farmer_Gyles]

i'll have rows of radish between my rows of carrot - radishes grow quickly so get picked long before the carrots are ready

i did read some time back to mix radish and carrot seeds so the fast growing radish marks the rows of carrots - but then picking the radish makes it easy to damage the carrot stalks which attracts carrot root fly and of course, the radishes are crowding the carrots - so separate rows for me

oh yeah, must remember to leave space for beetroot and parsnip!

[FionaH]

Im going to plant chives in the corners of the bed in an attempt to mask the smell So have we decided not enough room for parsnips as well?

[TEB]

It would be pushing it unless you can somehow stagger the planting, if it was me I would go with the shallow rooting fast growing crops as you have said, you also dont want to brush or disturb the carrot or parsnip tops too much as this can attract carrot fly

[FionaH]

Ok, cheers for the help will stick the parsnips in another bed
When they finally germinate that is!

[Farmer_Gyles]

my parsnip seeds say sow april ...... i'm only going to grow a handful anyway as we don't like them, but going to try making parsnip wine and give the rest away to friends

[FionaH]

Mine say Feb to May we love them with roast dinners and nice in soups

[maytreefrannie]

Any idea whether it's OK to sow parsnips with peas? Something in the back of my mind keeps telling me I heard this somewhere.

[Beetroot Bob]

I'm planning on spring onions inbetween my rows of carrots.

[zazen999]

Parsnips are in the ground a long time, so make sure that you aren't having to disturb them before harvest.

[vicky]

I block plant my carrots as I have to cover to avoid carrot fly (easier to cover a block than a row)and we love carrots! In the past have tried growing with spring onions to mask the smell, but it didn't work for me!

[Farmer_Gyles]

that reminds me .... what should i cover the carrots with to prevent the root fly? i've seen people surround their carrot block with some sort of fine mesh "fence" about 2ft high (carrot root fly only flies below 21"??)

[zazen999]

Enviromesh

[srodders]

Last year I used the cat repellant granules and had no trouble with root fly. I'll be trying it again this year to see if it was just coincidence or really does work. It also keeps teh cats away which is a double bonus.

[Victoria26]

I've sown some parsnip seeds today - carrots - spring onion and beetroots. Will be keeping an eye out next few weeks for seedlings!!!