Parsnips

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Lady Willow
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Parsnips

Post: # 127660Post Lady Willow »

I've just found some parsnips seeds (open packet) that somebody gave me earlier in the year and I forgot all about.


Think it's worth sowing them? I've never sown parsnips this late. They won't save 'til next year, so it's either sow 'em or chuck 'em.


If it's worth sowing them shall I put them in the polytunnel to give them a bit of a head start before the very cold weather set in?


I've got lots of parsnips growing well, but you can never have too many parsnips eh?

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Re: Parsnips

Post: # 127686Post LBR »

If it's sow them or toss them, and you don't live where the snow will fall soon, why not be daring and plant?

I think parsnips might be my favorite vegetable.

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Re: Parsnips

Post: # 127732Post chadspad »

Why wont they save until next year? If u tape the packet up tight I dont see that it will be a problem. Ive used loads of seeds left over from previous year that ive had in open packets.

Of course, if youre just gagging to have more parsnips then give it a go!
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Lady Willow
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Re: Parsnips

Post: # 127736Post Lady Willow »

parsnips are one of the few seeds that won't keep 'til the following year once opened.

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Re: Parsnips

Post: # 127738Post chadspad »

Well I didnt know that! Learn something new every day on here lol. Might as well plant them then eh?
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Re: Parsnips

Post: # 127757Post eccentric_emma »

uh oh, i'd better get sowing. i have about a billion parsnip seeds left over. crumbs. good thing i've been saving the cardboard tube from loo rolls! (to germinate them in in case you are wondering...)
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Re: Parsnips

Post: # 127821Post theabsinthefairy »

I have had no trouble getting parsnip seeds to germinate from open packets - but do make sure that they are kept dry - I think it's the dampness that upsets them.

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Re: Parsnips

Post: # 127823Post Birdie Wife »

I think I would probably keep them until next year. The germination rate will be much lower but you could do germination tests on damp kitchen paper to see how many are likely to grow. Actually, what you could do is sow on damp kitchen paper in the spring and then take the ones that have germinated and just sow them, so you end up with a full row. I have never tried sowing this late but I suspect you'll get a thin root which will get to mid-Spring and then bolt, as parsnips are binennial.

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Re: Parsnips

Post: # 128053Post Peggy Sue »

The standard advice is both carrot and parsnip seeds don't keep but i have hadd success with both, worth a go
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Re: Parsnips

Post: # 128068Post Millymollymandy »

Parsnips year 2 for me germinated just as well as year 1. Third year was probably the reason I only got 3 snips though!!!

I have opened new packets this year of 2 different varieties and will be sowing the same seed next year.

Carrots I've never had a problem with lasting from year to year! :? :? :?

As for sowing parsnips now, aren't they supposed to go in the ground whilst there is still cold weather i.e. March/April in order to germinate? I've never got them to germinate when the weather turned warm (which could be why they didn't work for me year 3 as we had a very hot dry April).
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Re: Parsnips

Post: # 128338Post richardwil »

Millymollymandy wrote:As for sowing parsnips now, aren't they supposed to go in the ground whilst there is still cold weather i.e. March/April in order to germinate? I've never got them to germinate when the weather turned warm (which could be why they didn't work for me year 3 as we had a very hot dry April).
I sowed some in late August as I had a spare plot of land. They should be big enough to roast as baby parsnips at Christmas.

I don't like seeing spare ground and I am heading for the garden soon to start planting things.

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Millymollymandy
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Re: Parsnips

Post: # 128365Post Millymollymandy »

It was probably cool enough in Yorkshire for them to germinate! :wink: I probably could have got them germinating here too in mid summer!
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Lady Willow
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Re: Parsnips

Post: # 132357Post Lady Willow »

I sowed them in the polytunnel. I'm hoping the extra heat will help them get to a reasonable size before the frosts next year produce their sugars. Best hope is that I get some baby parsnips which I'll roast whole. Yum yum!

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Re: Parsnips

Post: # 132491Post Peggy Sue »

Not sure they need that long for size, mine are HUGE and they were sewn late (first sewing didn't germinate)

Still we will find out when you report next year!!
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