Beginner Parsnip Questions

[DeanRIowa]

I have never tried a parsnip and yet after reading about them I thought I would have to try parsnips this season. I have already purchased Harris Model Parsnips.

• I have read the seed is only viable for one year, is that true?
  
• I had planned on planting them with 2 1/2" spacing and thinning to 5" and 2 rows of 20'. I will end up having enough seed left over for planting another 4 fours, can this seed be frozen in a freezer to be used for the 2011 growing season?
  
• To save seed I assume, I overwinter the plant and than the second year I get seeds? Any hints on collecting?

thanks,
Dean

[realfood]

Parsnip seed is known to loose viability very quickly and it is usually recommended to use new seed each year. However, I have used old seed before and just sowed several seeds at each station to compensate.

[Sanjo]

Hello Dean, there are many views on parsnips as you have probably discovered if you have used the search button along the first green band at the top of the screen. Lots of people on here have their own ideas on the best way. It's trial and error for those of us with little or no experience.
I grew them for the first time last year and started them off in toilet rolls tubes. I did get parsnips, albeit some funny shaped ones. In fact, I was digging over the finished bed today and discovered another three that got missed.
I have no doubt that somebody else will be along with a more difinitive answer for you soon.
Parsnips are sweet and floury when cooked. After the first frosts they seem to get even sweeter.
Hang in there and help should arrive!!

[Jeanied]

Not sure about freezing seeds as I've never tried it - but somene did say that you could freeze seeds that had been dried out with silica dessicant. May be worth a try, Dean and it could be the answer to the 'old' seed problem.

[Jardiniere]

parsnips are the devil...ALWAYS buy new seeds ...i have never found that old seed germinated well...and how you would collect seeds from them ? I have absolutely no idea...

[oldie]

Have a look at the following about parsnip seed saving Vegetable Seeds : Parsnip Seed

[Liza]

Put the seeds on damp kitchen roll in a warm place with a cover, plant the ones that germinate !

I would give the older seeds a chance buy using this method, also new seeds as they are tricky to get going

[Two_Sheds]

[*]To save seed I assume, I overwinter the plant and than the second year I get seeds? Any hints on collecting?[/LIST]

exactly right.

I am already getting millions of parsnip weedlings this year because I let a plant go to seed, then I shook the seed all over the shop (not really thinking it would work)

You could always shake the seed into a paper bag

[reetnproper]

I just planted seed straight into the ground last year but waited until mid-April (working on the premis that seeds prefer warmer soil so it was pointless sowing any earlier) before I did so. Much less hassle than having to germinate prior to planting/sowing.

I got a fantastic crop of parsnips from late September until late January. Most of the parsnips I grew were around the 1lb mark and one was 23oz and every one of them tasted gorgeous .

As for the seeds themselves, I'll be buying new seed this year, as everything I've read seems to say that 'old' seed doesn't do very well.

Reet
xx

[pjh75]

I used the same parsnip seed (Tender & True) for the past two years and will be finishing it off this year, so from my experience it lasts at least 2 seasons... guess I'll find out if I'm pushing my luck this year. The other variety I'm growing this year (White Gem) is the rest of the packet from last year.