what is it with Parsnips?

[bazil]

does the frost in feb encourage sprouting??

[Millymollymandy]

That's really good - how are you storing them?

Peeled and chopped into roasting size chunks and frozen, unblanched. Ate some last night with our roast - they are still good.

I still have 3 huge bagfuls though so I think I grew too many last year!

[hedgewizard]

Peeled and chopped into roasting size chunks and frozen, unblanched. Ate some last night with our roast - they are still good.

No no, dear. How are you storing the SEED?

does the frost in feb encourage sprouting??

I think it's more that they like a cold start rather than the frost being necessary. Probably the enzymes they produce to unlock the foodstore in the seed are optimized for low temps to let them get the jump on the weeds... peas are similar.

[red swirl]

No luck here with 'Hollow Crown', and that's even after 2 weeks solid rain (in a drought!!). Ahh well, only my first attempt ...

[Millymollymandy]

Peeled and chopped into roasting size chunks and frozen, unblanched. Ate some last night with our roast - they are still good.

No no, dear. How are you storing the SEED?

In its packet.

No special way, just in its packet currently in the potting shed and will overwinter in a cardboard box indoors in a cool room.

[digiveg]

The first time I tried to grow parsnips the germination rate was so awful I had trouble believing that they were actually seeds. So...I decided to pinch some of the seeds from the towering things bolting on my neighbour's allotment. The result the following year was equally awful, but the other way: I sowed heavily, and they ALL came up - so I spent the entire season thinning the crop. I expected that a lot of crossing with other local umbells would mean that some of the results wouldn't look - or taste! - like real 'snips, but amazingly they all did - and some were nearly 2 feet long.
I've done the same thing every year since then, with similar results. Carrots, too. Not only do nearly all the seeds germinate, they come up in a matter of days rather than...not at all.

[Millymollymandy]

The seeds also have to be bought fresh each year as germination rates drop off quickly.

I have the same germination rate as last year - 80% for the April sowing, then about 50% for the June sowing (filling in the gaps and a new row). So far zilch for July (filling in the gaps of the June sowing)! Perhaps it is too hot now.

The July 20th sowing are just starting to pop up now, perhaps it is because it has been a lot cooler this last week.

[multiveg]

First year on allotment, sowed nice short row of parsnips - they came up, then came along my husband and weeded them thinking they were docks! One survived. Last year, sowed some parsnips, about half came up (out of about 12 or so seeds). This year, sowed 3 lots of seeds. Got one parsnip.
I think parsnip seeds are one of those that have to be used relatively fresh and don't store well.

[hedgewizard]

My text books give them two years, although the store-bought stuff might last longer if they treat it with orrible chemicals.

[Smooth Hound]

I think it is important where you keep your seeds before planting, If youir house is warm then either keep them in the shed or the fridge or even the freezer, for acouple of weeks before planting and make sure the bed you plant them in in about feb is a well weeded bed as they can take 4-6 weeks to germinate, and will not do well amongst weeds when germinating.
Mike

[*stuffed*]

I sowed some in a big very deep container (just wanted a taste) filled with multi-purpose compost and loads germinated, they are growing nicely and I look forward to having them for xmas dinner.

[digiveg]

I was told by a Venerable Sage that 'snips should be left in the ground until after the first frost, or they won't be sweet.

It's not true...

[Millymollymandy]

No it's not! They'll be all big and woody by then anyway - and it is nice to have young parsnips during the summer and autumn.

[Smooth Hound]

Sounds like he meant Neeps, which do apparently taste sweeter after a good frost.
Mike

[chadspad]

My friend has sent me this tip for parsnip seeds:

Soak seeds to get a jump on the season. Before germinating, seeds need to drink up moisture, just as if drenched by spring rains. Once they become plump and swollen, the little embryo inside will begin to grow.Seeds such as broccoli, cabbage, and arugula use moisture efficiently and germinate promptly without presoaking. But slower-starting parsley and parsnip seeds benefit from presoaking. Dunk the seeds in room-temperature water for several hours or even overnight, but don't forget them and leave them in too long. Drain and plant the seeds immediately.