[AlaninCarlisle]

At what stage do others decide that their first sowing of parsnips has failed and re-sow them? Mine were sown on 20th April and nothing showing as yet, 3 weeks later.

[Beetroot queen]

My first and second lot went in in march and nothing. I gave up with parsnips for this year, amazon review coming on as germination rate was 0% 

[JayG]

3 weeks is the minimum I've ever had them coming through sowing directly, and that's sowing at about the same time as you have, and also somewhat further south.

I would start to get concerned after 4 weeks - in the meantime you could try pre-germinating some indoors for planting out directly which would save quite a lot of time if it comes to that.

[Ashurstman]

I tried chitting but even those are being slow to appear! I blame the weather!

[DD.]

I find the best thing to do is go away and do something else. They'll pop up while you're not looking.

[Madame Cholet]

Don't give up hope mine are just showing sowed just befor the snow came about mid March

[vanessa.xx]

I sowed mine on the 20th April and they all popped up in the last two days seems they at least enjoyed the torrential rain and I've got 100% germination but then I did plant about 6 seeds in each hole

[snow white]

mine took about a month to grminate.  The soil was just not warm enough.  Also make sure the seed is fresh as they do not keep.  I have had about 90% sucessful germination.

[Doc_D]

I've bought a spare packet in case! Although I'm fairly sure I saw some just poking through. About 5 weeks :-) is there a good way to store the packet I've bought for next year if so? I know that they should be fresh but not terribly cheap at b+q today!

[Rich72]

I sowed 80 seeds at beginning of April. The grand total of 3 have germinated

[JayG]

I've bought a spare packet in case! Although I'm fairly sure I saw some just poking through. About 5 weeks :-) is there a good way to store the packet I've bought for next year if so? I know that they should be fresh but not terribly cheap at b+q today!

Temperature as steady and cool as you can find, and as for most seeds, also somewhere dry (although the latter doesn't really apply to unopened foil-packed seeds).

You may need to double up with your sowing density next year as parsnips are one of the most short-lived seed varieties even when stored well, but I've managed to get reasonable (if not brilliant) germination in year 2.

[Annen]

I sowed mine on 3rd April.  There are some seed leaves showing but not in any pattern and I can't remember what parsnip leaves look like.  Is it too late to re-sow?

[Steveharford]

I don't want to gloat but I have a full row of parsnip seedlings which germinated on 3-4 weeks. Fresh seed, tender and true, from real seed co. I did sow quite thickly and possibly a bit shallow, I thought at the time. Maybe that was the secret?