[scentedstock]

While on the plot today I, like all good gardeners, left my work and had a wonder around the site chatting to various folk. You know a typical Sunday activity.

While chatting away I noticed that a plot holder was sowing parsnip seeds into peat pots, two to a station. He then explained that he was going to get the stronger seedling and when big enough pop the whole thing into the open soil.

I've never heard of parsnips being done this way other than straight sowing into the open soil.

Does it work? Is it work the go?

Apparently you can do it with carrots as well !!!!!!!!!

[matron]

It works for me. I never sow anything directly into the ground. I start everything off in pots or trays first. Oh, except potatoes, they go direct into the ground :!:  :!:

[compostqueen]

yeah it'll work and as parsnips don't like root disturbance hence the fibre pots

[fredster]

i do mine in loo rolls

[lee]

Just got my parsnips sown into loo rolls at the weekend too.  Tried 2 seeds to each roll to see how many germinate.

[paintedlady]

I sowed my parsnips in peat pots last year and they were absolutely fine.  This year I am trying the loo rolls, but despite my best efforts, the cardboard is going very mouldy ...  

I am sowing another different batch of seeds, and I trying out the damp tissue where you can see if the seeds germinate and then quickly put them into pots.

[Tinbasher]

I am sowing another different batch of seeds, and I trying out the damp tissue where you can see if the seeds germinate and then quickly put them into pots.

I always do that for both sweet pea and nasturtium seeds, don't know why, it's become a habit is all.  You can't do it really with tiny seeds like a lot of veg tend to be, but something you can just about pick up or carefully manoeuvre into a pot - well, I think it's a good method, and it's space-saving indoors rather than loads of pots, where some may not end up germinating.

[compo]

I sowed my parsnips in peat pots last year and they were absolutely fine.  This year I am trying the loo rolls, but despite my best efforts, the cardboard is going very mouldy ...  

I am sowing another different batch of seeds, and I trying out the damp tissue where you can see if the seeds germinate and then quickly put them into pots.

 I do my snips and carrots the same way, but have found that if you dont pack them too tightly together on a tray, then fill the gaps in between the loo rolls with soil as well, they dont go mouldy. When watering, use a small can, and try to keep the water in the roll. Fiddly but worth it

[Deano]

My tubes are mouldy as well, is it a problem?