Seeds from Organic Gardening

[NannyGreen]

In an attempt to organise my veg seeds (and because there hasn't been much else to do ) I have filed them all regardless of purchase date. Now I find I have a pack of parsnip seeds from Organic Gardening and I can't find a 'packed on' date on the packet.

Anyone know how I can check please? Alternatively do you know if they have a code for the date? They are only available for enquiries Mon-Fri so I could phone them on Monday if no-one has any experience of this Company. Wretched Covid means I don't even know where they came from as family and neighbours have been helping with the shopping. Roll on freedom

[mothhawk]

Parsnip seeds don't keep more than a year or two, so if you can't remember when you acquired them, they are probably too old to grow anyway. Do a germination test with a few seeds on damp kitchen roll to see if they are still viable.

[Plot70]

I would sew them sooner rather than later.
Parsnip seeds have a short shelf life and can be a challenge to germinate.

[NannyGreen]

Good idea mothhawk I will try a few on a damp patch of paper and see what happens - trouble is that takes a while though and I would like to start a few off now. I spent a day making the paper pots for them and am having a bit of a seed sowing frenzy just now.

They were definitely bought within the last two years and I suspect, more likely, the last 12 months so I am hopeful they will be viable. My seed supply since last January has been coming from many sources, some bought by family and friends, some donated and a few found in the shed when I had to clear it out so not 100% sure of their provenance.

Also surprised the packet has no information, especially for short lived seeds.

[NannyGreen]

As you say Plot70 but I am loathe to waste a day's worth of paper pot making and a bucket of my precious compost if they are not going to be any good. I would just feel better if I could be sure they were last year's seeds

[Plot70]

I would go for the blotter.
Once a tiny root starts to appear they need to go in the ground in there final position.
I tried them in pots and they forked in an instant.
The little roots need to be just budding. The time window is just a few hours.
If the weather turns cold they will take longer to show leaves.

[NannyGreen]

Thank you Plot70 it does seem as if a trial run is in order. Why would any company pack seeds with no date? I always put a date on any seeds I collect, it's just good practice.

[Plot70]

I personally have never found a sealed packet of seeds without a date on it.

[NannyGreen]

Me neither Plot70 until I somehow acquired this packet from Organic Gardening, very disappointing but I shall see what they say on Monday.

[Bren In Pots]

NG I always pre chit my parsnip seeds on kitchen roll, that was when I plant out I have less gaps in my rows. I've tried them in loo rolls but you have to plant them out before the roots reach the bottom or you end up with them forked like Plot70 says.

[NannyGreen]

I hear you Bren In Pots and have suffered from loss of focus in the past The paper pots are 6" tall and made for the parsnips, started doing this because I don't like thinning out, feels wasteful and cruel - I'm just a softie at heart. Worth the effort though as I love parsnips, also love beetroot, wouldn't it be great if parsnips were as easy as beetroot?

[mothhawk]

I hear you Bren In Pots and have suffered from loss of focus in the past The paper pots are 6" tall and made for the parsnips, started doing this because I don't like thinning out, feels wasteful and cruel - I'm just a softie at heart. Worth the effort though as I love parsnips, also love beetroot, wouldn't it be great if parsnips were as easy as beetroot?

Actually it would be nice if beetroot were as easy for me as parsnips.....

[NannyGreen]

Really mothhawk ? I don't concern myself too much over the age of beetroot seeds which is clearly a bonus v parsnips and I usually manage about 90% germination, also grow some as micro veg. It's weird isn't it how some people seem to have terminal problems with some veg? My Nemesis used to be carrots but I think I have that sorted now - ooops shouldn't have said that

[mothhawk]

The beetroot seeds germinate fine, but never develop proper globes of beetroot. They remain matchstick thin no matter how long I leave them, then go to seed.

[NannyGreen]

Is it possible you are feeding them too well mothhawk ? I get the occasional stick root but mostly they are fine, I do have to watch them in wet weather as they really don't like being soggy and I have claggy clay and they do need space between them but I'm sure you know that. Hey ho, such is gardening eh? Took 6 years before I could get the carrot thing sorted, my Dad always said gardening was about patience - he should have added not to develop a fear of failure as well