Is it too late to sow Parsnips?

[adamjohn]

I have some Parsnip "Gladiator F1" seeds and was wondering if it was too late to sow them?

I intend to sow then into large pots as our allotment soil is absolutely full of stones. Last years attempt at parsnips ended up a mass of entwined roots. Nice to eat but so wasteful in preparing. I may (at the advice of a blogger I can't remember the name of right now) cut out the bottoms of the pots and place them on the soil to allow the roots through, all depends on space available.

The advice I have read states sowing should really be made in March/ April and possibly beginning of May hmmmm....

[rustylady]

According to Thompson & Morgan who supply these seeds the sowing time is April and May. I would think it's well worth sowing them now.

[Bren In Pots]

Seeing as you already have the seeds its only going to cost you time and space so you might as well sow them.

[Veggielot]

I seem to be at least a month behind so I wouldn't worry to much.

[Alison]

I only sowed mine a couple of weeks ago - wasn't really a plan but what ended up happening . No sign of them yet though but they are always slow.

[mistymoo]

i have been sowing parnips since Feb and up to now put nearly two packets out with only about 4 seedlings showing, so i bought more seeds put more out and more in polytunnel only this week so sow away! , i will keep sowing until i get a decent show of seedlings.

[Nes]

I sowed some more this morning as I haven't had very good germination this year so far. The seeds don't keep very well, so you may as well sow them if you have the space.

[PyreneesPlot]

I'm going to sow some this week if the ground dries out enough.

My mum gardens on gravel (Thames valley) and she sows direct but uses a dibber to make a hole and then fills with sifted compost. It might be worth a try?

[kathyd]

I just bought some new seeds last week cos last year's won't germinate, and it says on the packet I can plant until June.. Can't remember their name offhand, but they're 'half length' (whatever that means!) and something to do with one of the Channel Islands... I didn't realise different varieties had different sowing times with parsnips?

[PyreneesPlot]

1/2 long de Guernsey? I grow them last year. Very wide at the top, if I recall.

[bearded bloke]

Guernsey Half Long ......... Parsnip "Guernsey" Seeds

They say May,but we are only just in June & I doubt the seeds can read a calender

[Nicos]

We are going to sow ours over the next few days!

[kathyd]

Guernsey Half Long ......... Parsnip "Guernsey" Seeds

They say May,but we are only just in June & I doubt the seeds can read a calender

Now that's curious - my packet definitely says can sow until June! Anyways, I agree with you BB, it defo doesn't feel like June yet!! I've planted some outside and am waiting to see if anything happens. If all the seeds I've planted so far decide to come up after all, I'll be able to supply parsnips to the whole commune! Lol

[Doive]

Sowed some Gladiators in February, then snow came and nothing happened. Sowed more in April, more snow came and still nothing happened. Planted loads more middle of May, little green heads now showing. Been planting occasionally since then, still want to get a few in the ground - I'd say there is time yet.

[binley100]

Mine seem to be coming up one by one ......up to eight at the last count ...getting impatient now and can see more getting sown . Never had trouble with them before ...