Parsnips in loo roles

[Scoot]

I germinated some parsnip seed in a little tub on a damp paper towel, once they sprouted I put them in loo roles tubes filled with compost. Now they have all come up and when I check the bottom, I can see the tap root is out. My question is, should I put them in the ground now? Will they die off if there is a frost. I havn't got anything to cover them with.

Also he ones I planted straight into garden in cone shaped holes filled with compost havn't came up at all. Too cold?

[Spunky]

How big are the leaves scoot are they true leaves or still seedling?

[Scoot]

Still seedlings at the minute but the first true leaves can't be far away as they've been like that for a couple of weeks now. The reason I ask this question is because I don't want the tap root getting too long as it just means I'm going to have to dig deeper when I plant them in the garden to keep it straight so I get straight parsnips.

[roitelet]

Loo rolls aren't deep enough for parsnips you really need kitchen rolls. The main tap root is out of the loo roll before you see the leaves.

I would put them in the ground and take pot luck. If you loose them there is still time to sow more. I don't sow mine until the end of this month and still get good roots. If you leave them you will get distorted roots as the roll is not deep enough.

[glyn]

mine have just started showing seed leaves "in loo rolls"!, because all the beds have been manured and there is not much depth of soil i was going to grow a few on in potato grow sacks ,i had better check tomorrow to see if the tap root is out ,is it a problem if it is ,or would i be better starting again ?its my first time with snips and am not looking for massive roots just something edible

[Kristen]

They won't mind a frost, but them might mind going outside without any hardening off ... but I think the risk that the taproot is damaged is greater, so I would plant out without delay.

I think if you use loo rolls for Parsnips then they need planting out as soon as the seed leaves appear (which is about a week after sowing chitted seed). If using taller newspaper pots or kitchen-roll tubes then first true leaf is about the time that the tap root reaches the bottom of the "pot". Which gives a bit more time for a hardening off process and to get the plot ready for planting!

[Scoot]

I'll plant them out tomorrow morning then. If I found something to go over them would that help? Just until the last frosts have gone?

[Kristen]

Yes, I think that's a good idea. A 2L Pop bottle, with the bottom cut off, would be ideal (leave the screw top off too - so they get some air and don't cook!). Failing that fleece would keep the wind off them for a week whilst they acclimatise.

[Scoot]

Well, ive got 50 of them to go out and I don't think I have that many pop bottles haha. It'll have to be something quick as well there is the small matter of a north east derby to take in all day tomorrow. So i'll have to get cracking tomorrow morning, earlyish. Howay the Toon.

[Snow]

I'm just sowing mine today. Bit late but I couldnt have managed it earlier. I had to wait for the PSB to finish, and am half way through the digging over to prepare the bed for the parsnips. It'll be ready in about a week. I figure it would be a good idea to get them sown now though, indoors on the windowsill in kitchen rolls.

Can I put the seeds in the tops of the tubes or do i need to germinate them first on a piece of kitchen roll?

[Scoot]

Germinate them first on damp kitchen/loo role. Once they have sprouted their root, plant away. Mine are doing great by doing it this way.