Planting out pre-germinated parsnip seed

[veg4681]

The world is going parsnip-crazy today

Anybody interested in doing a Phd in Parsnips study?

['erbs'n'veg]

I'm very excited at growing Parsnips for the first time, I've managed to germinate a dozen using the damp paper method and have carefully transferred them to 8 inch paper kitchen roll pots.
Having read this thread, the next batch to germinate will definatelly be planted directly into the ground using Pigletwillie's method .
May not be enough evidence for a pHD but will be an interesting trial....if I get enough germinated seed!

[Sue]

Yes, I think the trick is to get them in the ground when the seedlings are still very tiny as the length of root to size of seedling is quite surprising! All this talk of parsnips has made me determined to succeed and I don't even like them very much....
I've got mine planted out under bottle cloches in the raised beds where the soil is warmer, fingers crossed.
Sue

[janeyo]

Anybody interested in doing a Phd in Parsnips study?

only if the funding is big enough lol

off to check if mine have anything going on underneath as thought the top bit would pop out first (doh), I spose I should have realised esp as the broadbeans have roots and no tops in the loo rolls

[BarleySugar]

I've planted mine as soon as I can see a little hook of green at the top of the loo rols. It means they get checked each day, and I've only a couple or so to do at a time, but I haven't space for many, so the individual approach is fine for me Altogether I've planted out 13, the first 5 are looking great, second leaves and not munched so far.

[Comfreyfan]

I left them too long in loo rolls before planting out last year - suddenly realised they were growing out of the bottom and ended up with very forked parsnips. I'm trying again with the loo rolls but I'll get them in the ground sooner. Wish I had some pipes though - that sounds perfect!

[pipscariad]

Ah, wish I'd read this thread sooner. Mine all now have two green leaves poking out of the newspaper pots, so I've probably got forked 'snips to look forward to . Better get them in tomorrow, I'll cover them with a cloche and hope for the best!

[Victoria26]

This year Im going to try pre germinating Parsnips and then sowing directly into the soil.

Hopefully Ill get more plants by pregerminating first.

OOoo This sounds interesting. I think I'll do this too. Germinate them on the kitchen paper and then stick em straight in.

Great tip

[Bazza]

I sowed mine in loo rolls last year and planted them out. It worked but they forked badly, in fact they looked like aliens from outer space. Like pigletwillie, I decided to damp some kitchen roll and spread it inside one of those plastic containers that you get from the Chinese takeaway. Sprinkled the parsnip seed on top and waited for it to germinate. I then selected seeds that had sprouted about 5mm, then planted them direct into the ground. Most of them have now come through the surface about two weeks on.

[susiewoosie]

My parsnip seeds should be here next week hopefully thats not too late. I'm growing them in buckets the same as the carrots. I will definately germinate them first.

[Herbie]

I have planted a few out under cover, using the pre-germination method in the loo rolls. I try sooooo hard with parsnips every year but they just turn out short, stumpy and forked!
I hope this works this year. Going to do some in a deep container to see which ones turn out better, other than that will just accept that my parsnips will never look like the shop ones long and straight

[Pickle]

I'm glad I saw this thread as I'm gropwing parsnips for the first time this year. Think I'll try the pre-germinate method then straight into the ground.

[BarleySugar]

Last year I just direct sowed the seed, and the ones that grew weren't forked. However as I thought I'd do a germination test to see if last year's seed was viable, and 10 out of 10 grew I put them in the loo rolls. It will be interesting to see whether they fork or not.
Last year I didn't sow until mid April, but the parsnips were pretty big by the time I started lifting in Nov. If they get even bigger with a month extra growing time, one parsnip will be more than me and OH can manage at one meal .

[Demeter]

Woo-hoo - parsnip sowing season is upon us
I seem to remember that when I joined this forum last year one of the first threads I saw was titled something like "Oh please no, not another parsnip germination thread, dear Lord..."

I haven't any seeds as parsnips weren't on my priority list for this year - but the pipe idea has got me inspired. I have just been wondering what to do with a very small patch of spare ground in the 2.5 beds I am supposed to be looking after and planting up at the city farm.

Might even get some in at my allotment if I can get enough ground cleared and dug before the end of parsnip sowing season.

[Oleander]

I am inspired by this thread to have a go with parsnips. I have two questions -

Is there a variety which is more fool proof than others?
Do they need full sun?

thanks!

Oleander