But.... what about the parsnips...?

[CaroltheCarrot]

Mine are only showing their tiny little heads,had stonking ones last year/this year so am ever hopeful

[Florence Fennel]

Sowed three (or was it four) lots, one lot was chitted in the airing cupboard, without success. If at first you don't succeed and all that, so I'm hoping for some small but beautifully formed if the ones sown at the weekend come up.

[singleseeder]

Try the 'plank of wood' method.

In fact I might put some more in to see what I get. Definitely have some spare ground as everything has been so slow. ........... including me getting things in!

[vegnut]

Right then if you lot are sowing snips then so am i
I sowed two rows in early april and i have one snip to show for it, thats not gonna do chrimble dinner.
Thanks for the reminder grapes

[Normans Mum]

Right then. Thanks for all your advice, peoples. Will give it a go!

[poppysocks]

Hi, I didn't know you could sow in pots and then transplant, I was told they become misshapen if you do. Is it ok to sow in pots because if so I will give it a go. I have sown three lots outside with no success and as I love them would be happy to try again.

Can you get some from a local farm shop maybe ?

In my experience they took around 3/4 weeks to germinate meaning now your looking for first leaves in august.

Am sure they will still grow but size wise may be best to try that.

I have a few seedlings in a pot your welcome to if it helps ?

[Normans Mum]

yes..... that's what I'm going to do Poppysocks. Will sow indoors and then see what happens. Ooooooh, I can taste them already-- roasted in the oven with a drizzle of honey. OM,nom,nom,nom, nom !!

[scarey55]

Sow them in paper pots or toilet roll middles and plant the whole thing in the soil once they are a reasonable size, that way you won't disturb the roots when planting out.

[Alison]

Thanks I'll try that then, I'm still not very up on what and when on polytunnel growing. I'm trying to sketch it out on paper at the moment. I'm trying to keep it churning most of the year.

I keep trying all sorts of things. One of the best things this year was spring cabbages, they were the runts of the plants and I just shoved them in a border after I'd dug up the toms etc in about October and they produced really hard and firm hearts. Calabrese was good too, again autumn planted.

[Tripmeup]

I sowed parsnips way back and they are absolutely flying now with great foliage on them....I sowed some more seed in cardboard tubes about 5 weeks ago and they are only peeking out now.....I will let them strengthen up a bit before planting into the ground, and then leave them at it over the winter....
The ones already in will definitely be ready for Christmas dinner, so will be a bonus if I get more after that..

[Normans Mum]

To the lotty this aft with an armful of loo roll innards!

[VirginVegGrower]

I keep trying all sorts of things. One of the best things this year was spring cabbages, they were the runts of the plants and I just shoved them in a border after I'd dug up the toms etc in about October and they produced really hard and firm hearts. Calabrese was good too, again autumn planted.

Thanks I'm planning some brassica planting seeing as how I have little else to fill my seasonal growing season!

[soladragon]

Can I transplant my parsnips from the ground to a raised bed without them dying?

[scarey55]

They don't like to be moved Soladragon. If you can, I would leave them where they are. I don't think they will die but you may have forked roots.

[soladragon]

Oh pies. I am in the process of making a new vegetable patch with raised beds on the jungle side of the garden. Full of weeds but it is getting better now.