Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: shokkyy on November 18, 2012, 19:52

Title: My first parsnips
Post by: shokkyy on November 18, 2012, 19:52

This year I had my first ever attempt at growing parsnips. I did everything you weren't supposed to do. I planted them out too late, when there were roots coming out of the bottom of the loo rolls. I crammed them into a tiny strip of ground between the 7 foot Alderman peas and the 7 foot Carouby mangetout, so they must surely have been starved of both food and light until those were lifted. But I lifted the first snips today and they were perfect :)

I didn't bother trying to get the very thin bit off the bottom, but even without that they were a good foot long, perfectly straight and white, with not a single nibble or mark. It must be beginner's luck, I guess. Makes up for the slug eaten turnips, mice eaten carrots and celeriac that never swelled.

Title: Re: My first parsnips
Post by: Lottiman on November 18, 2012, 20:06

Good for you :) they are I think my most favorite thing from the plot. Mine were a disaster last year,  but good this time, which was good news I luv em!  :D

Title: Re: My first parsnips
Post by: snowdrops on November 18, 2012, 20:26

Well done Shokky,every year is so different & if it ain't broke don't fix it,I'd try the same approach next year if I were you but have an insurance policy of some following the rules & see what the results are in the Autumn.

Title: Re: My first parsnips
Post by: SnooziSuzi on November 18, 2012, 20:38

I think that parsnips are a hit or miss type of crop so well done to you for getting such a perfect crop up :)

I'm leaving mine in the ground until (http://www.desiglitters.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/stars-desi-glitters-5.gif) day because I have so few of them this year - not like last year when I had hundreds of them!

Edit:  Hahaha! Love the star for the time of year that must not be mentioned (just yet anyway!)

Title: Re: My first parsnips
Post by: allotmentann on November 19, 2012, 08:02

Well done on your parsnips. I have not grown them before but may try a few this year. :)

Title: Re: My first parsnips
Post by: Poolcue on November 19, 2012, 08:21

I think the secret is not to plant them too early in the season.

Title: Re: My first parsnips
Post by: DD. on November 19, 2012, 08:29

Which allotmentann wiil be doing, if she sows them this year!  :lol:

(Either that, or very late!)

Title: Re: My first parsnips
Post by: fatbelly on November 19, 2012, 09:02

Each year I get a good crop of Parsnips but this year has dreadful.

Only one seed germinated out of two 30 feet rows. I sowed in April but then we had a deluge of rain for the whole of April, May & June which encouraged the Slugs who I think ate my seedlings.

Title: Re: My first parsnips
Post by: sarajane on November 19, 2012, 10:18

I've cropped a couple and they seem a good size.  Unfortunately whereas I usually have about a hundred, only 30 have grown to any decent size so I won't be digging any up until that special day in december when we have a gang around.

P.s.  where are you all getting the star from.

Title: Re: My first parsnips
Post by: JayG on November 19, 2012, 10:42

Quote from: sarajane on November 19, 2012, 10:18

P.s.  where are you all getting the star from.

At school you get a gold star for being good, whereas on here you get one for being naughty and typing the "Chr......" word or "Xm.." word (Aunty has added it temporarily to the forum's autocensor!)  ;)

Title: Re: My first parsnips
Post by: sarajane on November 19, 2012, 10:56

ah ha.  Clever Aunty.  Thats why I asked as I really really don't want to go on the naughty step