[kermit]

Trying my hand at a few snips this year.  True to form, I've no space.  Was originally thinking of using some big deep containers, but I reckon its hardly worth it.

Failing that, the only other spot I could squeeze them in is pretty shaded (corner of a raised bed).  Will get the  full sun for about 3 hours in height of summer.

What does everyone reckon?  Is it worth trying?  Pots or shaded bed? 

[digalotty]

you could always try both mate and see what does best

[Christine]

I alaways grow my parsnips in tubs and do well with Tender and True. It allows me to shove them on the enormous hard standing on the allotment in the sun.

[Lupin lurcher]

Hi Kermit, not sure myself as this is my first year, but have found this article. The full flavour of parsnips do not emerge until the parsnip roots have been exposed to near freezing temperatures. Because of this parsnips are known as a winter vegetable.

Parsnips are a good source of carbohydrate, vitamin C, minerals such as potassium and calcium, and fibre.

Parsnips can be safely left in the ground over winter and harvested the next spring if required. If doing this you should harvest before the new tops and seed stalks start their growh or else the root becomes fibrous and starchy (losing its sweet flavour).

Because of their long growing season many people like to grow catch crops to make best use of their gardening patch.

Preparation
Make sure the soil is well turned over with a spade before sowing. Dig some well composted organic material into the soil before planting.

Sowing
You should plant parsnips in around mid to late spring time when the soil is still warm. Do not use seed that is over a year old.

Germination rates of parsnip seed are not great so sow about 3 seeds per inch and at a depth of around half an inch. You can help germination by lightly rolling the soil or genty trampling it after sowing. Germination may take up to 20 days.

When the seeds have germinated and are seedlings thin the seedlings down so they are about 3 inches apart. If planting out seedlings plant them out at this distance. If you are planting in rows then space the rows about 20 inches apart.

Position
Parsnips will grow well in partial shade or full sun.

Soil type
The soil should be reasonably fertile and of good depth (Parsnips are a root vegetable whose roots can reach 30cm in depth. A soil of low fertiliity can be identified by stunted growth and the stems turning light green.

Organic compost incorporated into the soil before sowing will help even moisture distribution and aeration.

Tending
When rainfall is lacking over summer water give the parsnips a good watering once a week to ensure continued growth.

You can add a straw or wood chip mulch after the seedlings have emerged to help retain soil moisture.

Remove weeds (if hoeing then hoe only the top inch of soil).

Harvesting
Do not harvest until there has been a couple of weeks of near freezing temperatures. The cold results in the starch in the roots being converted into sugars which give the parsnip its sweet taste.

Use a spade to dig the parsnip root (up to 30cm in depth) out of the ground.

After you have harvested your parsnip roots clip off any remaining leaf stalks and wash and dry the root bulb. They can be stored for many weeks in the right conditions.
Regards Mandy.

[Yorkie]

Hi Kermit, not sure myself as this is my first year, but have found this article.

Hi Mandy

Thanks for your post.

Please could you provide a link to the article - otherwise we have copyright difficulties.

Thanks

[solway cropper]

I get good results growing snips in black flower tubs. I put about 15 seeds in each tub and thin to half that number if they germinate. Growing in pots allows me to bring them into the greenhouse when the weather is bad. If they'd been in the ground we wouldn't have had any for last Christmas dinner due to the severe frosts.

[Lupin lurcher]

Hi Yorkie, sorry the web adress is.
http://www.gardeningpatch.com/vegetable/growing-parsnip.aspx
hope this ok.
Mandy.