Thursday 6 June 2024

Parsnips Progress.

 No not a Prog Rock band name.  More like a English Folk Rock band don't you think?

Remember when we pre germinated the parsnips seeds on damp kitchen towels in Tupperware tub on top of the cooker hood?

Then I sowed them in small plant pots filled with soil and the plant pot bottoms cut off and placed them in a large planter containing more garden soil.

I moved the big pots out of the polytunnel a few weeks ago and placed them outside in the veg plot.

They seem to be growing well and like the sunshine.

Have you grown parsnips in large plant pots?

18 comments:

  1. Not done it myself but remember gardening programmes in the 70s talking about that.. especially for show parsnips and carrots

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  2. Yes you must be very close to Musselburgh and the Mammoth leeks GZ....? I never understood why parsnips would be sowed in February. A part from that the old gardeners knew nat forgot more than I would ever know. Thanks!

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    1. I wouldn't call Musselburgh close!! 80+ miles away and well over two hours on normal roads...or 90+ on motorways and about 2 hours on a good day!!

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    2. That would be close if it was rural Ireland. We often travel for two hours each way to Kerry and back GZ. You don't use Google maps though unless you want to end up on single track roads in the middle of nowhere. We've learned that one.

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  3. "pre germination" was a good idea. The first lot of our carrots never appeared. The second lot wilted. The thirst are giving more cause for hope.

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  4. It's been a strange year Tasker. What with all the relentless rain and now vegetables going to seed with all the dry weather. Autumn King carrots are worth sowing after the new potatoes. You won't have any carrot fly problems.

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  5. I was not aware on how to start parsnips, so my seeds went straight into the ground, I've been lucky most are growing, mine are in the raised beds.

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    1. Hi Marlene. Parsnip germination seems much more successful if they are sown in May instead of the traditional February sowing date. Pregerminating seeds is well worth doing for old vegetable seeds to see if they are still alive.

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  6. Kathy in wales7 June 2024 at 01:21

    Your polytunnel is looking good. I just love it when every thing starts growing and fills up with soft green colour.
    Parsnips looking good, I didnt get round to any this year.
    I have found germination ofton slow and erratic this year, even with peas and beans.My peppers and tomatoes all have set fruitof some size. This was the result of keeping them under a small LED light early on. they grew short and strong.
    One thing I use for seeds is the centres of toilet rolls, they give growing length, and I plant them without disturbing the roots. but must not t be allowed to dry out.
    I learn new things each year,
    Kathy

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  7. Hi Kathy. We are eating new potatoes every day and I am thinking more about winter vegetables like parsnips, spring cabbage and kale. My spinach is going to seed because of the dry weather at the moment.

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  8. Doesn't that restrict their growth?🤔 I think you should have been optimistic and used bigger pots....😂

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  9. I don't know Tigger's Mum. I saw the Parsnip growing method in a You Tube video and thought I would give it a try.

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  10. I have never grown parsnips. Your method seems to be paying dividends but so far there seems to have been a fair amount of work. I have heard of "Pilgrim's Progress" by John Bunyan. Is "Parsnip's Progress" by John Onion?

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  11. Thanks YP. You get Bob Flowerdew so why not John Onion? A great name for a vegetable gardener.

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  12. My sister did this! For the first time this very season.

    Question for you...everything you touch seems to thrive. Have you ever had anything NOT grow???

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    1. Hi Debby. You know the Parable of the Sower don't you? If you keep sowing and planting something will flourish. My Spinach is going to seed with all the dry weather at the moment.

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  13. Other good names for gardeners would be Jacob Rees-Horseshit and Boris Slug.

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  14. Boris let's have a party at number 10.

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