Effin Parsnips!!!

[brooklynodog]

On kitchen paper in G/house, 2 seeds to loo roll when white "tail" showing, harden off when 3" tall, plant out in roll. This year %100 germination, 1st year I tried this method! For the last 20 years I`ve had less than 20% germination rate by sowing direct.

[Norm]

Hey Grovsey, there's no 'F' in Parsnips, or is that the problem

[Cutecumber]

brooklynodog - I am pleased that your germination rate has improved but concerned that you left the seedlings in the loo rolls until they were 3 inches tall. It is vital to get the seedlings into their final growing position before the tap root reaches the bottom of the tube - did you check this?

[Polly Fouracre]

Must be soil conditions or strength of mind! I love parsnips and mine germinate and grow in the soil and I always have good crops.
I once tried growing them in lav.roll innards and they grew all spindly and whiskery. I have clay soil which may help.

[Nicos]

I have found that they germinate better when the weather warms up a bit , so I won't be sowing outside for another 3 weeks , and then when I do , cover them with fleece to help keep them moist and warmer at night.
My germination rates have vastly improved doing this.
Also sow in 3's and transplant to fill any gaps.

[roadkill]

i tried to do them this year and failed so gave in .....

[Nicos]

i tried to do them this year and failed so gave in .....

I know 'they' say sow in March....but ......

Go on.....give them another chance in a couple of weeks - straight into the soil!

Remember you should use fresh seed EVERY year!!

[roadkill]

I know 'they' say sow in March....but ......

Go on.....give them another chance in a couple of weeks - straight into the soil!

Remember you should use fresh seed EVERY year!!

right i will go out and buy some more this weekend and sow them straight into the soil in the next two weeks ...... Lets see how we get on,
all we be posted on my blog so watch this space

[brooklynodog]

brooklynodog - I am pleased that your germination rate has improved but concerned that you left the seedlings in the loo rolls until they were 3 inches tall. It is vital to get the seedlings into their final growing position before the tap root reaches the bottom of the tube - did you check this?

Yes, no sign of taproot. Had some in roottrainers as well.

[Nicos]

right i will go out and buy some more this weekend and sow them straight into the soil in the next two weeks ...... Lets see how we get on,
all we be posted on my blog so watch this space

Good on ya!!

Nice bit of fleece too?????

( optimum germination temp is 21C and should take 14-21 days )

Looking forward to seeing how you get on!

[Glasshousevirgin]

seems I have been lucky. Straight into the ground.
I have used the Lancer type which are supposed to be good harvested small and although a bit slow to come up initially I have had two seasons from one packet of Dobies seeds.
If left longer they still are normal size although less tasty.
I have just bought a pack for this season so if its a disaster I shall blame the brand of seeds.Germination is often said to be a problem with stale seeds but the Dobies came just in a paper packet - no foil and still did well.

[NOG]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I've not had a problem with germination, just growing the bloomin things. They are in the ground for so long (8 months) and yet still seem to be extremely tiny and spindly. Have I got the wrong soil?

I was having loads of probs as I am on clay so now I dig a trench and fill it with leaf mold and home made compost. If you use manure it will be too rich and the roots will split.

Plant the seeds in the seeds in purchased general Purpose compost. put in a COVERED HEATED Propogator.

Plant them out then every few months give them some Blood Fish and Bone.

Then post them to me for taste testing.....LOL

[Tangle]

I always sow mine directly outside, I read something years ago that you shouldn't sow until the local hawthorn has broken bud. I do warm the soil with cloches but they can be really slow to germinate even then
tangle

[Nicos]

I always sow mine directly outside, I read something years ago that you shouldn't sow until the local hawthorn has broken bud. I do warm the soil with cloches but they can be really slow to germinate even then
tangle

Hi there Tangle- welcome to the Vine!

When are you intending sowing your seeds outside??
( ps where abouts are you located??)

[JennieAtkinson]

Thanks NOG! Await the postman .............