parsnips

[taffworm]

just planted parsnips in card tubes how long should i leave them before putting them in the ground. the packet says to plant them outside now ,but it seems too cold and wet .
ps I'm in South Wales

[scarey55]

Check the bottom of the tubes and as soon as you see the root appearing (which won't be long) plant them out, otherwise you will get forked roots. They put on a lot more growth below than above so don't be surprised to find that there isn't much in the way of leaves. If you have to put them out in the cold just try covering them with something - I think they are quite hardy though.

[Ian Pearson]

Yes, they are tough.
I sowed two rows directly outside, and they are up after 10 days. (They had a sheet of plastic over them 'till they germinated). There's been a couple of light frosts, but it hasn't affected them.
Cardboard tubes seems like a labour intensive method for such an easy grower. The only problem is you must have new seed each year.

[Jardiniere]

Cardboard tubes seems like a labour intensive method for such an easy grower.

WHAT????????????????????
EASY ??????? PARSNIPS???????
WHERE? WHEN? HOW?
I've started about 50 seeds so far this year ....i have 5 puny little seedlings which will probably die over the next few days ..

[Jeanied]

I've just planted out 4 rows of pre-germinated parsnips - the whole thing could go diastrously wrong from here - but the seeds were germinated on damp kitchen roll in a plastic box in the airing cupboard. So many sprouted that I gave some to a fellow lottie holder and planted out the rest myself. I have shoved cloches over the rows so lets hope they have a head start. Best germination? Seeds which were sow by 2009.

[taff]

I had better luck just sowing direct about the end of april lastyear.The cardboard tubes ones did germinate, but they came out morelike footballs than a tapering root, whereasthe direct sown ones were tapered [and too bleedin' big!!!]