Parsnips & Leeks In February.

[Ouya Mellsa]

I only have an unheated plastic greenhouse. Is Feb too early to sow parsnips and leeks in one of them?

The seed packets say sow Jan-Mar, but this is only intended as a guide. Plus, all the magazines say we can sow parsnips in Feb.

What do you do?

[zazen999]

Leeks - fine - they will germinate when ready.

Parsnips need more heat though. And are best sown direct into a prepped bed.

[Ouya Mellsa]

Ah yes.......should have realised about the parsnips being direct sown.....d'oh!

Thanks.

[zazen999]

I don't know where in the country you are- but i sowed my first batch of leeks last weekend.

[Kristen]

The leeks won't need much protection - if it comes really cold the pots could come in for the night perhaps?

I don't sow leeks early for two reasons:

We like them as a Winter vegetable, rather than in the Autumn

I reckon they are more prone to "bolt" if sown early

That said, depends on variety and personal preference.

[Florence Fennel]

I'm sowing leeks tomorrow, but as Zaz says, I wait for warmer weather to sow the parsnips direct.

[Snadger]

February for outdoor sowing of parnips and planting of shallots for me. Parsnips take ages to show above ground though.

[Kristen]

February for outdoor sowing of parnips and planting of shallots for me. Parsnips take ages to show above ground though.

I wonder if that is because the soil is still cold in February? Perhaps leave a tiny patch and sow that a month later to see if it makes a difference?

[Dottie]

I sow both parsnips and leeks direct as the soil warms up, I also warm the beds with fleece or similar a month or so before sowing.

I tend to direct sow most things, which is easier to do on my now established no-dig beds, as I don't get a load of weed seedlings trying to compete.

[Jono]

Don't parsnips need a warm soil temperature to germinate? I'm sure I read somewhere that it was 8oc?

Covering the soil with fleece will definitely help with that.

Not that I've ever grown good parsnips, mine are useless, but I think this is my stony ground.

I'm going to try containers this year, as this will allow me better control over the soil conditions.

[Jeanied]

With parsnips I'm going to do what I did last year - pre-germinate on damp kitchen towel in the airing cupboard - then sprinkle the germinated seeds into a trench that has been warmed under a cloche on the plot. Worked for me last time.

[bobleponge]

My leeks will be going into the ground this evening, parsnips wont be in for at least another 3 weeks, possibly a bit later.

[Two_Sheds]

Don't parsnips need a warm soil temperature to germinate? I'm sure I read somewhere that it was 8oc?

2c is the minimum, according to this but I sow in April myself (a June sowing did very badly: too warm and dry)

P*****p champion does it like this, in Feb: http://www.nvsuk.org.uk/medwyn-willi...-show-380.html