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Post by cheerypeabrain on Jan 8, 2008 22:59:38 GMT 1
I'm growing Parsnips this year, and never having grown them before I'd appreciate advice about sowing, spacing etc...do I need a deep bed as they're a root crop? (it might seem obvious to YOU but I'm new to this veg growing game)
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Post by 4pygmies on Jan 9, 2008 8:09:41 GMT 1
Parsnips are notoriously difficult to germinate, Cheery, so first of all I would sow them into loo rolls indoors so that you don't waste any space in your container. Then use a deep container, with a soil based compost and with no fresh manure in it and plant them about 5" apart in it. They need a long growing season so this is something you can sow early!  They are quite big leafy plants and will need a fairly large space even in a container. I'm sure there are special parsnips available for container growing these days, I expect you have already found all that out.... ;D And they really do taste better if harvested after the first frosts so growing them is a long term committment in terms of space in a small garden. X |
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Post by owdboggy on Jan 9, 2008 9:29:20 GMT 1
If you do gorw them in soil blocks first whetever you do do not disturb the roots when planting out. Once you damage that they never grow properly. They are also early sowers, we put ours in around the beginning of March, but if you are milder then February is ok. If you sow in the open ground then one good idea is to put seed compost in the drill and soak it before sowing the seeds on the compost and covering.
If you really want to experiment then you can pre-germinate them in non-fungicidal wallpaper paste and then gently trickle that into the drill of spoon it on to the surface of a container. Again avoid damaging the roots.
Finally if you do not get frost, putting the roots in the freezer for a day or two has the same effect as frost.
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Post by Sweetleaf on Jan 9, 2008 11:03:49 GMT 1
I just sow them as normal, outside in drills and keep watered, have no probs with germination at all, I have to keep thinning them out, actually. Not that I havent heard there are problems with Parsnips, but thats my experience of them. Maybe it will be like that this year maybe not.  |
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Post by 4pygmies on Jan 9, 2008 11:39:03 GMT 1
I've found that sowing them in loo roll carboards does work very well. As long as you remember to soak the cardboard before you plant the whole thing it does minimise any root disturbance and don't leave it too long after germination too - as soon as the plants are established they need to be hardened off and put in their long term growing space.
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Post by emseypop on Jan 9, 2008 14:44:04 GMT 1
I just sow them as normal, outside in drills and keep watered, have no probs with germination at all, I have to keep thinning them out, actually. Not that I havent heard there are problems with Parsnips, but thats my experience of them. Maybe it will be like that this year maybe not. I'm with sweetie, maybe we're in a lucky area? What we lack in carrots, we make up for in parsips! Try an exercise in PMA if you belive they'll germiate, they'll germinate! ;D |
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Jan 9, 2008 21:57:26 GMT 1
well I'm in the Midlands too, so hopefully we'll have the same success as emsey & sweetie ;D I'll try both...start some off in bean modules in mid February and some in open ground an March. thank you Oh Wise Ones...  |
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Post by dutchy on Jan 11, 2008 10:33:52 GMT 1
Parsnips are notoriously difficult to germinate, Cheery, so first of all I would sow them into loo rolls indoors so that you don't waste any space in your container. Then use a deep container, with a soil based compost and with no fresh manure in it and plant them about 5" apart in it. They need a long growing season so this is something you can sow early! They are quite big leafy plants and will need a fairly large space even in a container. I'm sure there are special parsnips available for container growing these days, I expect you have already found all that out.... ;D And they really do taste better if harvested after the first frosts so growing them is a long term committment in terms of space in a small garden. X How big would you call big? I have to interplant with non veg. And yes I am a first time grower too. |
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Post by 4pygmies on Jan 11, 2008 10:37:44 GMT 1
The leaves will be about 30cms - 50cms high approx, Dutchy. I don't see any reason why you couldn't include them in a border. If you plant them in blocks they will provide a green patch and you harvest them when most other herbaceous plants have finished anyway. I think it would look pretty good actually - the leaves are quite architectural anyway. X
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Post by dutchy on Jan 12, 2008 10:52:39 GMT 1
They are starting to grow on me already ;D Great, a long term plant that is a good backdrop and gives you a good meal as well. I think I will use them in the long border. ( 4 meter wide and 16 meter long ) Can they stand some shade?  This fence. when ready. will be app 1,8 meter high and I want the parsnips almost near the path so they will get sun. |
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Post by emseypop on Jan 12, 2008 13:32:57 GMT 1
They are starting to grow on me already ;D Great, a long term plant that is a good backdrop and gives you a good meal as well. I think I will use them in the long border. ( 4 meter wide and 16 meter long ) Can they stand some shade? This fence. when ready. will be app 1,8 meter high and I want the parsnips almost near the path so they will get sun. I'm sure they'l look great there! |
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Post by dutchy on Jan 13, 2008 11:30:44 GMT 1
;D They had better. No seriously now the fence is ready I get more grip on things and can visualise them allready in there. Thanks EP.  |
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Post by alicat on Jan 13, 2008 20:03:18 GMT 1
I'm growing Parsnips this year, and never having grown them before I'd appreciate advice about sowing, spacing etc...do I need a deep bed as they're a root crop? (it might seem obvious to YOU but I'm new to this veg growing game) Cheery I'm growing Parsnips (Improved Hollow Crowned) for the first second time this year ( Last years never germinated - it was old seed) Read afterwards it needs to be very fresh seed to be successfull  Fingers crossed we have good results this year. Dutchy - That fence looks really good.  |
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Post by dutchy on Jan 14, 2008 9:33:07 GMT 1
Thanks Ali.
Seen the path?
The next one to do. Get all the weeds out whilst re-laying the paving.
Not sure I want to do it, I might just get the weeds.
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Post by 4pygmies on Jan 14, 2008 22:35:10 GMT 1
I grew a long line of parsnips next to my asparagus bed last summer and when the asparagus fronds fell over they smothered the parsnips for weeks....it didn't seem to bother them a bit! I think they'll look great in that border - I love your fence too!
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Post by alicat on Jan 16, 2008 1:17:15 GMT 1
Thanks Ali. Seen the path? The next one to do. Get all the weeds out whilst re-laying the paving. Not sure I want to do it, I might just get the weeds. Ermmmm I see what you mean, the weeds and grass grow up through our slabs too, very annoying. :   Although once I get started I don't want to stop until it's all done. It's a bit like ironing really you hate it but there is a certain amount of satisfaction when it's all done. If your not organic you could always cheat and use a paste on weed killer. Goodluck which ever method you choose. |
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Post by dutchy on Jan 25, 2008 9:25:18 GMT 1
I am taking the easy route. I go into denial  No I will tackle them later as long as nothing sets any seeds I am fine and there still is a lot to do. I do poor the remains of my tea on the ones near the shed. As my hotwaterbottle keeps things at almost boiling point it cooks the ones I poor it on. I have to get rid of the left over tea anyhow ;D Hard work this |
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Post by Sweetleaf on Jan 25, 2008 10:58:51 GMT 1
How about using a weed wand? Its just gas canister with a long stem, and you just point the flame at the weeds till they shrivel, Im buying one for my paths.
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Post by dutchy on Jan 26, 2008 19:29:05 GMT 1
;D
Now you are talking !
Sounds good but what does it do to grass?
I fear an afternoon of pulling and sweating will at some time present itself.
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Post by Sweetleaf on Jan 28, 2008 21:03:30 GMT 1
;D Now you are talking ! Sounds good but what does it do to grass? I fear an afternoon of pulling and sweating will at some time present itself. It does the same to grass as it does to weeds Im afraid, its an "equal opportunities" method ;D Ive bought my weed wand now, Ill give it a review when I have tried it out. |
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Post by dutchy on Feb 4, 2008 18:30:14 GMT 1
Have you tried it yet?
On the Parsnip front as I can't remember...
Is root Parsley grown similar to the way you grow Parsnips?
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Post by Sweetleaf on Feb 4, 2008 20:26:42 GMT 1
Yes I have! it was a little scary at first but I enjoyed it after I got used to it, the whole time I used it, I kept remembering my father setting fire to his (fire brigade) boots ;D The weeds shrivelled and so far theres no sign of them returning, so its a fun, effective method, IMO. PS I recommend rinsing boots before using the weed wand if you have any recollection of spraying weedkiller in them : |
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Post by dutchy on Feb 5, 2008 9:21:38 GMT 1
 I thought you were going to advise me to use asbestos boots.
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Post by karenwl on Feb 16, 2008 18:14:24 GMT 1
Im doing Parsnips again this year but at the lottie this time, but they will be grown in raised beds again.
Karen x
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They are quite big leafy plants and will need a fairly large space even in a container. I'm sure there are special parsnips available for container growing these days, I expect you have already found all that out.... ;D And they really do taste better if harvested after the first frosts so growing them is a long term committment in terms of space in a small garden. X
Although once I get started I don't want to stop until it's all done. It's a bit like ironing really you hate it but there is a certain amount of satisfaction when it's all done. 
