[Nobbie]

I find seed upto a couple of years old fine, I think most of the germination problems people have are down to sowing too early. There’s just no need to. I prepare a seed bed nice and early and wait until the weeds start germinating in numbers. Hoe them off and then sow the parsnips 4 seeds to a station 4” apart as they seem to like company and it helps identify them against any remaining weeds that germinate. Thin to one at each station and finally to 8” apart Think I sowed towards end of April this year and the first one I harvested a week ago was huge. Made a very nice addition to the mash on a cottage pie.

[rowlandwells]

it seems by your replies  that direct sowings is the order of the day its interesting to note sowing fresh parsnip seed is highly recommended to get good results and that some of you favour making a hole and filling it with compost prior to sowings this would indeed give parsnips a good growing system one I think is good sound advise

however in my topic i was considering using Bi-Degradable sheeting and as said this was to eradicate weeds but I also take on board the possibility of slug damage as the parsnips emerge so i need to give that some thought how I mite overcome that problem

nevertheless it indicate from your replies you've been growing  good parsnips  better than me  but with all that advise I can't go wrong can I

[Blackpool rocket]

Should they be fed, maxicrop is what I've got, or just left?

[Grubbypaws]

I don't feed them and think I have good results.

I always put some bonemeal around them once they have germinated. Not sure where I got this from or if it is needed but I get a bumper crop.

Parsnips grow best where nitrogen based nutrients are on the low side. I am not sure what the nitrogen content of maxicrop is but it may not be a good idea. Parsnips dont need feeding but I put bonemeal along the rows for root growth. I will be interested to see what other people on the forum do.

[Grubbypaws]

I have just checked and the NPK for Maxicrop is NPK 5-2-5. While looking I found this handy link

https://thenutrientcompany.com/blogs/horticulture/npk-value-of-everything-organic-database

The NPK value of everything organic!

[rowlandwells]

Hi folks I couldn't believe my eyes from what I said because we actually got several parsnips of our raised bed on Saturday some had forked but we managed to put some parsnips in the freezer I can't remember when we last had parsnips of our allotment that where any  good 

and  I have to say there's been much said about growing parsnips that has been a great help
many thank for all your replies  RW

[coldandwindy]

I have just checked and the NPK for Maxicrop is NPK 5-2-5. While looking I found this handy link

https://thenutrientcompany.com/blogs/horticulture/npk-value-of-everything-organic-database

The NPK value of everything organic!

… dried jellyfish .. ??

[Growster...]

I grew some year-old seed in buckets this year - we don't use many, and they're about half a pound each, which is OK for us!

I'll wait until we get a real frost before checking again!

Actually, I don't mind if they fork of even get worse, as once cut down and washed, the thin pieces cook up beautifully!

[jambop]

I grew some year-old seed in buckets this year - we don't use many, and they're about half a pound each, which is OK for us!

I'll wait until we get a real frost before checking again!

Actually, I don't mind if they fork of even get worse, as once cut down and washed, the thin pieces cook up beautifully!

Hi Growster
I just lifted one of my parsnips, which I had to dig out it was so long came in at 2lbs 12ozs and was 18 inches long and 14 inches round the top  We love them and I have a bed with about 30 of them in it so I will have to get recipe hunting... we generally have them mashed , roasted or souped but I believe they make great rissoles ?

[Growster...]

That's some veg, JB!

Never thought of rissoles, so will investigate!

Incidentally, are parsnips used much over there? I don't remember seeing any in Le Clerc!

[jambop]

That's some veg, JB!

Never thought of rissoles, so will investigate!

Incidentally, are parsnips used much over there? I don't remember seeing any in Le Clerc!

They are becoming more popular on the veg counters but I don't know if its for the Brits or the French  I do not know many French people who eat them ... don't know what they are missing! The one I dug out yesterday has given us two very generous helpings but I am going to investigate rissoles 

[snowdrops]

I grew some year-old seed in buckets this year - we don't use many, and they're about half a pound each, which is OK for us!

I'll wait until we get a real frost before checking again!

Actually, I don't mind if they fork of even get worse, as once cut down and washed, the thin pieces cook up beautifully!

Hi Growster
I just lifted one of my parsnips, which I had to dig out it was so long came in at 2lbs 12ozs and was 18 inches long and 14 inches round the top  We love them and I have a bed with about 30 of them in it so I will have to get recipe hunting... we generally have them mashed , roasted or souped but I believe they make great rissoles ?

Snap same as the photo I posted on page 1 lol

[jambop]

I grew some year-old seed in buckets this year - we don't use many, and they're about half a pound each, which is OK for us!

I'll wait until we get a real frost before checking again!

Actually, I don't mind if they fork of even get worse, as once cut down and washed, the thin pieces cook up beautifully!

Hi Growster
I just lifted one of my parsnips, which I had to dig out it was so long came in at 2lbs 12ozs and was 18 inches long and 14 inches round the top  We love them and I have a bed with about 30 of them in it so I will have to get recipe hunting... we generally have them mashed , roasted or souped but I believe they make great rissoles ?

Snap same as the photo I posted on page 1 lol

Do you garden a la Charles Dowding ? I can't post a picture but the parsnip was a thing of beauty not a deviation from true and very tender... did two meals with really healthy helpings 

[snowdrops]

I grew some year-old seed in buckets this year - we don't use many, and they're about half a pound each, which is OK for us!

I'll wait until we get a real frost before checking again!

Actually, I don't mind if they fork of even get worse, as once cut down and washed, the thin pieces cook up beautifully!

Hi Growster
I just lifted one of my parsnips, which I had to dig out it was so long came in at 2lbs 12ozs and was 18 inches long and 14 inches round the top  We love them and I have a bed with about 30 of them in it so I will have to get recipe hunting... we generally have them mashed , roasted or souped but I believe they make great rissoles ?

Snap same as the photo I posted on page 1 lol

Do you garden a la Charles Dowding ? I can't post a picture but the parsnip was a thing of beauty not a deviation from true and very tender... did two meals with really healthy helpings 

Yes I do, went totally no dig 4 years ago, wish I’d done it 40 years ago.

[Growster...]

I grew some year-old seed in buckets this year - we don't use many, and they're about half a pound each, which is OK for us!

I'll wait until we get a real frost before checking again!

Actually, I don't mind if they fork of even get worse, as once cut down and washed, the thin pieces cook up beautifully!

Hi Growster
I just lifted one of my parsnips, which I had to dig out it was so long came in at 2lbs 12ozs and was 18 inches long and 14 inches round the top  We love them and I have a bed with about 30 of them in it so I will have to get recipe hunting... we generally have them mashed , roasted or souped but I believe they make great rissoles ?

Snap same as the photo I posted on page 1 lol

Do you garden a la Charles Dowding ? I can't post a picture but the parsnip was a thing of beauty not a deviation from true and very tender... did two meals with really healthy helpings 

Yes I do, went totally no dig 4 years ago, wish I’d done it 40 years ago.

Don't really have anything to add, but just liked to see one of the longest 'quote' series ever...

Go on, I dare you Snows...