[Headgardener22]

Sometimes I've had bad parsnip crops, but was really pleased with last year's!

I saw somewhere a thread that was talking about chitting parsnips and the reason that parsnips did well last year  was because it was warm at first (which parsnips need to germinate) then cold and wet (which they need to grow).

I thought that was interesting

[Trillium]

Parsnip seeds have a very short germination life. Best to buy new seeds every year.

I've always direct seeded mine, and water them every 2nd day until I see them sprouting. Plus, I plant them in the deepest, most friable soil area I have so I can get very long roots that will equal DD's parsnips any day. 

If you're having trouble getting them to germinate, try digging a shallow, narrow trench maybe an inch deep and and an inch or two wide, fill with potting mix, water well, seed, top with a bit more mix. This should help germination in case your soil is too clayish or maybe too limey for parsnips. They're fussy beasts.

[gremlin]

Parsnip seeds are coated in a clay pellet so that they can be mechanicaly sown at the required spacings. The clay contains insectacides and fungicides which protect the seedlings in their early life. The weeds are controlled with a sophisticated programme of spraying.

Thanks for the information Salmo. Now where can I get pelleted parsnip seed?
I suppose I would have to buy it in 1 ton bags, in a minimum order of 10 bags 

[Beetroot queen]

Parsnip seeds are coated in a clay pellet so that they can be mechanicaly sown at the required spacings. The clay contains insectacides and fungicides which protect the seedlings in their early life. The weeds are controlled with a sophisticated programme of spraying.

Thanks for the information Salmo. Now where can I get pelleted parsnip seed?
I suppose I would have to buy it in 1 ton bags, in a minimum order of 10 bags 

I'd need that many to get a single parsnip harvest 

[Jackypam]

Last year I didn't know parsnips were difficult, I just chucked in the seeds, they all grew, I ignored them and ended up with loads of tasty parsnips which stood shoulder to shoulder with hardly a grain of soil between them. This year someone said it was difficult. I carefully prepared the seed bed' warmed it, station sowed at regular intervals at the required depth.  Watered and watched with bated breath.  So far? ... Not a single parsnip!!!   

[Trillium]

Sometimes ignorance is bliss    Maybe you should go back to treating them rough so you'll get another great harvest 

[Growster...]

I transplanted a few seedlings yesterday to fill gaps, after all, a 'sqonky' parsnip, with several fingers can still grow and still get to a good size, to be trimmed and baked!

Last year, we only used a few over the winter months, so we 'jokingly' agreed that I would only grow a short row of sixteen...

Oh, hellfire, that's exactly what's turned out to be the number...;0(