[viettaclark]

I know everyone says parsnip seed shouldn't be used 2 years running but I have loads left so even if only 1/10th come up I'm ok.
Has anyone tried it and had success?

[JayG]

If I made a list of all the seeds which might still perform after their recommended sowing dates parsnip would be right at the bottom!

Just don't think it's worth taking the risk (parsnips aren't the most enthusiastic germinators at the best of times!)

[peapod]

try chitting them between two damp paper towels,that will tell if they are viable

[viettaclark]

Looked on the pack and the date is 12/2010. They've been airtight and stored in a dry warm room. They germinated really well last year although they took a while (like they do...)

[JayG]

No such thing as 100% right or wrong when it comes to gardening: try peapods suggestion. 

[viettaclark]

N'other job for tomorrow then!!! I'll give it a go....thanks.

[savbo]

as it happens... I had the remains of a pack with use by of 2007 - sowed about 100 seeds on kitchen paper - over 4 weeks over 2/3 have germinated, gone into paper pots and now are sprouting...

M

[Salmo]

As all seeds get older the percentage that germinate drops. This is not the only factor. The vigor of the seedlings also drops so that germination is slower and the seedlings are weaker. How quickly the drop off occurs varies between different plants.

What this means is that old seed may look OK on blotting paper but in practice slow and weak seedlings are more vunerable to pests, diseases and adverse weather conditions. Try the blotting paper test with old and new seed side by side and the difference is often quite striking.

Parsnips are notorious for not coming up so why risk old seed?

[viettaclark]

Cos I ordered my seeds ages ago and I'm too tight to pay postage on one pack and I can't get out to the shops. 
AND I am renowned for scrimping......it's my age I suppose! Waste not want not (if possible)
Maybe I'll ask for a packet of parsnip seed for Mothers' day....there's a thought....!!!

[Lottiegob]

Last year, just as an experiment and curiousity I sowed some seed 2 years old and most germinated and grew on to lovely parsnips. My other half grew fresh seed in conical holes filled with compost which grew just the same as mine.   

[Jonajo]

as parsnip seeds are so cheap and you get so many in a pack, I sowed several seeds in each "station" in the ground last year. Not one for bothering with rows, as such - just made small holes where I wanted them to grow ultimately and popped in a few seeds.

 Of course not all germinated (as expected) but at least one in each station did - so I simply got rid of the others once they settled in.

[Brassica Blaz]

i grew my first parsnips last year.i sowd them at the end of june and the ground was really warm.i hoed out a shallow trench 3 inches deep and prinkled in abit of compost all along the row ,sprikled in the seeds and just moved the soil back over watered them with a fine sprikler.i'm just finishing the last of them now(gladiator f1). there really sweet now but not as in good condition as before Christmas.but taste better.going the same way this time too.i suppose there's lots of different ways but this worked for me ,i just thought i'd share it with you.it wasn't fresh seed either it was off the flea market about 2007.its all very confusing this seed date lark when ones found in egyptian vaults have been germinated and how old are they!!!

[Kristen]

I think the problem with Parsnips is compounded by the time they take to germinate. If you sow old seed and it doesn't germinate its then really late to be sowing some more.

If you can be bothered to get them started on kitchen paper then you will know if a week or so if they are going to germinate - which does give time for a second-attempt.

[bigben]

You could get them started in paper pots or loo roll tubes indoors so the warmth helps get them going. If you plant a few in each tube and if more than one comes up then snip it rather than pulling it out. Once they are germinated get them somewhere cooler and plant out with a bulb planter those that germinate.