Thinning Parsnips and Carrots

[Nightshade]

My parsnips and carrots were planted about six weeks ago. They are still pretty small (See attached photo) and need thinning. I am reluctant to thin too soon as there are a lot of slugs around.

1. How big should the seedlings be before thinning?

2. Should I pull the thinnings up or just snip them at soil level?

3. Can I use the thinnings to fill any gaps?

Thanks

Nightshade

[Matt94]

well there where a few tips on thinning carrots on beechgrove last night - but anyway to answer your questions, there is not specific size of what your seedlings should be when thinning - but yours look at an ideal size to me.

Second question - i personally pull the carrots out and remove them immediately, as if if you leave them around it could attract carrot root fly.

Third question - no carrots dont transplant very well, the slightlest bit of disturbance (or a rock in the carrots way) will cause it to fork!

[eirish]

If they're just at the 1-2 true leaf stage (can't tell from pic) you can eat them - they're very tasty!

[rustylady]

Well from your picture it doesn't look as if anything needs thinning yet. You can't use either carrot or parsnip thinnings to replant.

[Florence Fennel]

Not sure if it's my eyesight, but those look well spaced enough not to require thinning, well not yet anyway. As the others have said NS, you can't transplant carrots or parsnips, they really don't like it.

[Alison]

I let mine grow loads bigger than that before I thin and then pull up the whole plant and eat them, they'll still be small and tender so don't need peeling but are great in stir fries etc.