Parsnip Going to Seed

[Cadalot]

OK a fellow plot holder gave me some parsnip seed from plants that she had left last year and after two failed attempts I actually grew 2/3 of a bed of parsnips. I left some in the ground so they would grow again and bolt to give me fresh seed.



I would like to have asked her, but she gave up her plot. Anyone any idea how long it will be before it produces seed?

[Penellype]

I can't give an exact timing but it looks from your photo as though the plants are starting to go up in the air a bit so they should form flowers soon. You will then have to wait for the seeds to ripen before you can collect them, so I would think you will be well into the summer.

[Cadalot]

Funny but none of the books I have tell you about seed collection from Parsnips, so I guess I'm just going to have to wing it and keep an eye on them, or do some internet searching

[Bigmallly]

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...eed_59149.html

[Cadalot]

Thanks Bigmallly

[Scarlet]

I've saved parsnip seed several times - they send up huge flower, stalks, I'll have to rummage around for a photo ..it's probably about 5ft! Or maybe more...it has to drpy over the summer and you get to collect thousands of them come the end of September. They take up a lot of growing space.

[Cadalot]

Thanks Scarlet, she gave me the seed much earlier than that so I wonder if it was from the September before and she had a load in her shed.

[Scarlet]

I would say I had pretty much a 100% germination rate for a couple of years after saving them, nothing like the failures from bought seed. Lots of volunteers too