Tweet
Well, I eventually got the parsnips going. Very late in comparison to usual and I did want to do an experiment but there are so many variables that are different to previous years that it's impossible to do a real comparison.
Previous years: Guernsey bought from a Spanish supplier, sown in paper pots late March. Very good success rate, though the parsnips are a bit wonky in shape.
This year: White Gem bought from Premier Seeds Direct, sown direct in the ground late May.
Pretty hopeless for an experiment. The only thing I'll know is whether I get some parsnips or not!
Anyway, I decided to try direct in the ground again after someone somewhere (possibly on the other place) said they stuck a dibber in the soil, filled the hole with compost and sowed their seeds.
In my case, the hole I made with the dibber simply filled up with loose dry soil from the sides (might have worked better at a wetter time of year), so I shoved my Pulmiplant in, dropped a load of compost in and opened the jaw while removing. Probably still loads of dry soil fell inwards, but I did my best! Then watered, sowed seeds and gave a slight drizzle with more water.
Watering is hopeless, though. My rose on my watering can is maybe too vigorous: the surface of the compost swims off everywhere. I imagine the seeds haven't stayed put either.
I've got plenty of seeds left, so I can do another round in paper pots if this lot don't come through. But by then it will be mid-June at the earliest.
Also earthed up the Roosters. The last time I earthed them up was ages ago by the looks of them. Today's effort might have to be the last, as they're getting very tall and not easy to earth up without damaging them. Last row to go are Charlottes and Red Emmalie, again very large.
The potatoes and the parsnips really ought to be a lesson to me: do things at the right time and it's altogether less effort and more likely to succeed.
