Longest parsnip

[spudstacker]

Hi
We are very keen to grow the longest Parsnipe in our local show (in September). Has anyone got any tips on how to grow and what variety to use?
Thanks in advance
Spudstacker

[Snadger]

Plant in either large pipes or barrel. If barrel use the crowbar method of making a conical hole. Fill hole with potting compost and and plant three seeds in centre...thin to the strongest once they germinate.

I've had success with growing them in 8 inch diameter pipes filled with a sandy loam!

[snuffer]

A guy in the next village to us grows very long carrots and parsnips for the show bench. He has an arrangement of pipes lent at an angle against the side of his house. At the top of this is what can only be described as a mini greenhouse. He grows parsnips of an incredible length but most of this is a very thin root at the end of what your average GYO'er would call the parsnip.

For just good size parsnips I'd go along with Snadger. Lengths of pipe or conical holes filled with a stone free sandy loam.

[SarzWix]

Medwyn Williams grows stuff in Wheelie bins Here's a link to one of his articles, which might be of interest?
Sowing and Growing Parsnips by Medwyn Williams MBE FNVS, Chairman of The National Vegetable Society

[Flummery]

No use asking me! Even when I grow them in potting compost they fork. Mind you, the thick bit at the top still feeds several people. If there was a prize for the widest one I'd be in with a shout!

[BrideXIII]

I figure on trying the pipe method this season, just for fun, not sure what i am going to use for pipes yet though.

[Snadger]

I figure on trying the pipe method this season, just for fun, not sure what i am going to use for pipes yet though.

Errrrrrrrr pipes?

I use various pipe diameters from 4 inch plastic drain pipe to 8 inch ridged plastic pipes used to carry underground electricity cables.
Brown plastic soil pipes of 5 or 6 inch diameter are good also.

You need to be a bit of a tippologist Bride i.e. scrounging in skips or building sites for offcuts!

About 5 foot long pipes should grow you decent long veg but iff you want to show them you may need to increase the length of the pipe.

I usually fasten mine to a fenceline to give them a bit of stability and it uses up very little land this way. If I had enough I would 'fence' all the way down one side of my allotment with pipes on edge. So not only are you growing something useful you are creating a boundary pipe fence as well!

[spudstacker]

What growing medium do you use? I guessit must be quite sandy?
Thank you all for your advice.

[adjohnson1971]

I remember watching a TV program once( I think it had Hugh Fearnley- Whittingstall on it) and it showed some veg that had been grown( I'm certain it was beetroot) and the thin rooty tip was about 20foot long!!!!!! It might've been a program shown on BBC a few years back about village shows around the country, the wife says Alan Titchmarsh presented it. I think the winners were eventually judged by Prince Charles.???

[Matt.]

I tried growing some big and fat parsnips this year but all I got were really long thin ones! I used cardboard tubes reclaimed from carpet sellers. These tubes come in lengths of 12' or more from the rolls of carpet you can buy instore. I cut them down to 2' lengths but if you're after really long veg they should work for you. They have a 4" diameter which is probably perfect for this type of competition growing. I used a very sandy mix of sand and compost. You need to keep them watered more than you think.

I remember seeing a program a few months back about giant veg. Like has been posted one guy grew root veg next to his house in a drain pipe. He could water from an upstairs window I think! Another chap grew them almost horizontally but on a very gradual decline. I think he used guttering but with a mattress on the top to keep out the light. Good luck!!

[spudstacker]

Thanks everyone, really like the cardboard tube idea. I work in a warehouse and have a endless amount of stretch wrap cardboard tubes. Absolutely brillant. Pure guiness.