[Rangerkris]

Just a quick one do i need to cover parsnips with netting like carrots or will they be ok with out.

[Yorkie]

They are the same family as carrots and therefore suffer from the carrot root fly, which generally then enables canker to be introduced.

That being said, I haven't ever covered my parsnips before, and have always had to cut canker out before eating the rest.

[solway cropper]

I've never covered parsnips and not had any real problems with pests/diseases.

[galen]

Totally agree with Yorkie and Solway, even when I've had a bit of carrotfly induced canker the parsnips have been so big it's been easy enough to cut it out and still feed everyone that wants some (and more) 

[goose]

ive always managed with a bit of 'canker' too , however i bought some stakes today and thought about wrapping some fleece around the bed for my parsnips to create a barrier but still give me access over the top...do you think this would work?

[Rangerkris]

Thanks for the replies will be doing them for the first time this year.

[mumofstig]

same here kris, if they ever germinate 

[JayG]

I already have to securely net my blueberries against blackbirds (ditto shallots until properly rooted), peas against pigeons (ditto nearly everything else until of a decent size), strawberries against birds (var.) and am even considering some kind of deterrent netting for the runner beans on my Munty frame (I'm convinced sparrows are using it as a convenient perch to peck the flowers), and enviromesh for carrots against carrot fly.

Think I'll continue to leave the parsnips unprotected and put up with a bit of canker (I tell myself it gives them a bit of "character"!) 

[Aidy]

After all J, if we want clean uniform charachterless parsnips, we would buy them from the supermarket 
Never use protection myself 

[JayG]

After all J, if we want clean uniform charachterless parsnips, we would buy them from the supermarket 
Never use protection myself 

Exactly! (and love to all your kids!) 

[Aidy]

After all J, if we want clean uniform charachterless parsnips, we would buy them from the supermarket 
Never use protection myself 

Exactly! (and love to all your kids!) 

After I posted that I had visions of Monty P's meaning of life 

[Salmo]

Just a thought?

If you allow parsnips to become home to carrot fly maggots they will pupate and produce more carrot flies.

These may fly later in the year to lay their eggs on late sown carrots or wait until next Spring and lay their eggs on the early crop.

If you still have parsnips in the ground it might be a good idea to lift them. Pupae may still be in the canker areas of the roots or have dropped out into the soil. Turn the soil over to expose the pupae to the weather and the birds.

[rhysdad]

Parsnip novice here too. I'm planning to sow directly in well worked and warmed (plastic sheet on the area as i speak) soil. Some sow in paper pots so i'd love the benefit of any advice as to which method works best please! 

[JayG]

Just a thought?

If you allow parsnips to become home to carrot fly maggots they will pupate and produce more carrot flies.

These may fly later in the year to lay their eggs on late sown carrots or wait until next Spring and lay their eggs on the early crop.

If you still have parsnips in the ground it might be a good idea to lift them. Pupae may still be in the canker areas of the roots or have dropped out into the soil. Turn the soil over to expose the pupae to the weather and the birds.

Good thinking Salmo!

Apparently overwintering pupae start hatching into flies anytime now so it could be a very bad idea to sow carrots where unprotected parsnips have been lifted and then make a nice cosy home for them with enviromesh! I would guess that it would be OK to sow after about June when they should all have flown away and can be kept out rather than in.

[Rangerkris]

Well i got so bored of sieving soil after about 3 meters x spade width to the depth of a spade and a bit that the second row got some holes pushed in the soil and filled with compost. Lets see how they go might try and get another row or 2 in the next few weeks.