Foolproof method of growing parsnips

[Rumpleteazer]

As someone who loves parsnips and tries to grow them every year I have found my results to be frustratingly variable! I was going to try starting them off in toilet roll tubes this year before planting them out. Anyone else tried this and does it work? I did this with carrots last year and it was very succesful.

[smeagal]

Originally Posted by Rumpleteazer

As someone who loves parsnips and tries to grow them every year I have found my results to be frustratingly variable! I was going to try starting them off in toilet roll tubes this year before planting them out. Anyone else tried this and does it work? I did this with carrots last year and it was very succesful.

There is a post somewhere on this forum that suggest using drainpipes to start them off.
I had a disaster last season and none grew at all.
So this season I am buying some plug plants from Sutton's Seeds and putting them straight into a dustbin with sand and compost .Fingers and toes are crossed.

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Smeagal, the post you are thinking of was from Smithyveg who grows exhibition vegetables. Here it is:-

QUOTE FROM SMITHYVEG:- "Exhibition growers grow parsnips in old oil drums filled with sand. Holes are 'cored' out using a length of plastic piping and then finished off with a crow bar giving long conical holes. These holes are then filled with the grower's mix of compost, soil, sand and various nutrients and the seed sown into the top. We only grow 4 or 5 in each drum as we're trying to get the longest and biggest.

If growing just for the table fill your dustbin with a mixture of sieved compost and sand and sow your seed across the top, thinning when germinated."

[Lesley Jay]

I always sow parsnips direct into the ground very thinly so that there is no need to thin out the rows which means that the tap roots are not disturbed. Also I use fresh parsnip seeds each year (variety Tender And True) and I always buy them from Thompson & Morgan who I believe have the best germination rates. My problem is usually getting them out of the ground without breaking them!

Parsnip : Tender & True (Seeds)

[DavidT]

How to get them out of the ground without breaking them:- Dig a small trench around the crown of the parsnip, then fill with water. When this soaks away, refill. When THIS soaks away, firmly grip the parsnip and gently, but firmly, pull the plant.

[smithyveg]

If you don't mind the fiddliness 'chit' them indoors on some damp kitchen towelling. As soon as the white root pops out of the seed casing transplant them to your prepared drill outdoors and cover with fine compost. Like I said .....fiddly. I do this in my oil drums for exhibition purposes and transplant the chitted seeds with tweezers....but then I'm standing up to do it so it's not so bad.

Alternatively make a shallow drill outdoors and water well. Sow seed in the usual manner and cover with fine compost. Water the compost then cover the drill with a plank of wood to prevent it drying out. As soon as the seedlings emerge remove the plank of wood.

[Rumpleteazer]

Originally Posted by smithyveg

If you don't mind the fiddliness 'chit' them indoors on some damp kitchen towelling.

I tried this last year which gave a marginal improvement, but still not great.

[smithyveg]

100% foolproof method for me. Mine have been inside on a windowsill for a week now. I'm expecting them to start popping through in the next few days.

[Lesley Jay]

Originally Posted by Rumpleteazer

I tried this last year which gave a marginal improvement, but still not great.

This might be caused by the quality and freshness of the seeds.

[smeagal]

Originally Posted by smeagal

There is a post somewhere on this forum that suggest using drainpipes to start them off.
I had a disaster last season and none grew at all.
So this season I am buying some plug plants from Sutton's Seeds and putting them straight into a dustbin with sand and compost .Fingers and toes are crossed.

Has anyone used this product and did you have good results?
What carrots would you recommend for tubs?

[Lesley Jay]

Originally Posted by smeagal

What carrots would you recommend for tubs?

How deep are the tubs??

[smeagal]

Originally Posted by Lesley Jay

How deep are the tubs??

about 3ft deep (They are standard size black dustbins)

[DavidT]

When I used to show I would use New Red Intermediate.

[smithyveg]

All carrots can be grown in tubs.....but the longer the carrot the longer the tub/drum needs to be.

If growing in tubs no more than a couple of foot deep choose a Nantes or Chantenay type.

[smeagal]

Well how lucky is that !!
That are 2 of the varieties I bought form my local garden centre

[PottyPot]

Originally Posted by DavidT

How to get them out of the ground without breaking them:- Dig a small trench around the crown of the parsnip, then fill with water. When this soaks away, refill. When THIS soaks away, firmly grip the parsnip and gently, but firmly, pull the plant.

I shall do that this year I gave the soil a good sift in the autumn, I was tired of producing octopus shaped parsnips

[fromthecrowsnest]

I've tried Smithyveg's crowbar method in open ground. Wind the crowbar to get a long conical shape, then fill with sifted soil with a little BF&B (blood fish and bone), 3 seeds on top and thin to the strongest, then wait......massive parsnips. Works every time for me, but don't let them get too big and woody though.

I live in the New Forest, England, and the climate is fairly kind.

Best of luck.

[allotmentlover]

my trick is to tread the ground down once sow, if the ground isnt compact the seeds dry out.
i have never had any trouble since doing this.