nip in early

[BUFFS]

i will be starting my parsnips off in modules later today, so I can get them into the ground already growing, as for the past 3yrs we have had to sow 2-3 times to get anything, so last year, in the end, I started them in modules, in the greenhouse, and they all germinated, and we are still using them now, but I will not be trying this with carrots, too fiddly, too time consuming. the raised beds are great for the 'nips, but I would love to have some ready for the veg show, but summer can be very slow to arrive, spring came eventually in the second week of june last year, so you have to go for crops that don't mind autumn weather in august, still, there's always next year..

[Cadalot]

Starting them off in modules you are likely to get shot stubby hand like nips, but I know what you mean I have found sowing later when the soil is warmer helps.

[Twynyrodyn]

Would the parsnips (or carrots) be fine started off in the greenhouse if they were sown in loo roles?

[BUFFS]

Starting them off in modules you are likely to get shot stubby hand like nips, but I know what you mean I have found sowing later when the soil is warmer helps.

The ones planted last year averaged over 18ins in length and a good foot of that was chunky, tasty nips. I start them in the greenhouse but they are transplanted within days,so no problem with them growing full length,they will be in two foot high raised beds with the 3ft of Victorian garden topsoil under that. The raised beds are only there as my balance is getting so bad, it means I can sit on the side to work a d not end up head first trying to balance,I was looking like something from that awful b & w minstrels after falling three times in under an hour, this way I can get out and plant crops, roast tatties without roast nips on a Sunday, god forbid, perish the thought, never going to happen even if I have to go and buy some...

[jackarmy]

Theres a guy on the toob ( Jims allotment) that starts them off in cut down pop bottles.
head and toe the pop bottle, then split it right down one side.
Tape it back up at desired width , pop in compo and plant the seed.
when it comes to planting out, dib the big hole, open up the tape, drop into hole and slide off bottle.

explained better on his vid, theres a lot of vids to flik through though .

[Mrs Bee]

I start mine off on kitchen paper until germination, the transplant into soil filled loo rolls.

I keep checking and before the roots get to the bottom of the loo rolls we plant them. We had tasty parsnips for Xmas and the rest are in the freezer.

[Small pumpkin]

I started mine off in modules last year, it really helped a lot. They were the best I've grown to date, but still plenty of room for improvement! This year I think I'm going to grow in buckets like VCs carrot challenge because the raised beds have farm yard manure on them so I end up with parsnip octopus.

[Bren In Pots]

I start mine off on kitchen paper until germination, the transplant into soil filled loo rolls.

I do this then once they've germinated the seeds go into the ground a couple in each spot.

[BUFFS]

I do this then once they've germinated the seeds go into the ground a couple in each spot.

It seems we all have a method that works for us, and that's all that matters..