Too many Parsnip Gurus

[Earthbabe]

The best piece of advice I was given for when planting in open ground (although I will give wellie's tip a try with some) was to plant on a sunny, windless day.

If you've ever tried to plant parsnips with any more than a gentle whisper of a breeze you'll know exactly what I mean

[Poledragon]

Try harvesting home grown parsnip seed in a stiff breeze! Let's just say there's going to be a fair few parsnips popping up in strange places at the top end of the allotments...

I do, however, have a nice big jar full of Tender & True seed.

[Earthbabe]

I have given a load away and still have huge quantities wrapped in a sheet and attached to the stalks.

[mazel-bee]

Loads of great advise!! Thank you everyone
If I can get the hang of posting pictures, I will show you my best Parsnip at Christmas!!!
( or the excuse of a parsnip that has so many legs it is trying to mimic an octopus! )

[snohare]

The best piece of advice I was given for when planting in open ground (although I will give wellie's tip a try with some) was to plant on a sunny, windless day.

If you've ever tried to plant parsnips with any more than a gentle whisper of a breeze you'll know exactly what I mean

I know what you mean EB, last year was my first growing my own veg and I was so desperate to get something - anything - in the ground that I was sowing carrot and parsnips in a half gale ! Good job they were going into a raised bed or the neighbours would have had a surprise...
I've heard that even old parsnip seed will germinate if soaked often enough - so presumably the poor germination rate is fixable by repeated soakings ?
The other tip I've heard was to remove a soil core with a scaffolding pole, and replace it with fine soil treated with seaweed extract. I get the feeling you might need a winch to pull those ones out...

[roitelet]

Not a winch Sohare, but a mini digger or the loan of EB's rabbit!!!

But it does work and the parsnips come out straight and not like demented spiders

[nick the grief]

......It's impossible to buy them out here, they are considered animal fodder......

Thats rich from a race that eats frogs & snails

[pigletwillie]

In Normandy Nick its the same for sweetcorn, swede and turnips. All grown for animal fodder.

[roitelet]

Very small turnips are the one thing that the natives do eat, and very good they are too. Anything over the size of a tennis ball is thrown to the beasts or used for boule

[vicki lorraine]

Parsnips are my fave.
Have read this thread with interest. Have heard they are hard to grow but will be giving it a go this year following the advice of fellow grapes