[Chiswickian]

I have rather a lot of parsnip seeds left over  from last years sowing. Books say use fresh each year - is this a tad cautious or should I bin them and start again with fresh?

[Val H]

Afraid the answer is bin them and start fresh with parsnips. :cry:

[DD.]

Yup - the one thing I never keep.

Parsnip germination as sporadic as it is, without using old seed.

[MOLUSC]

you could put them on your window ledge on damp kitchen roll and see if any germinate.
If they do  than plant them.

[peapod]

the only seeds i need to get now, as I will not be trusting last years  
(oh and IM getting what DDs getting, have you SEEN the size???       )

[DD.]

You noticed the change then!

[fivespud364]

I have rather a lot of parsnip seeds left over  from last years sowing. Books say use fresh each year - is this a tad cautious or should I bin them and start again with fresh?

No just sow them thicker than you normally would germination drops dramitically on parsnips but if you sow last years seed thicker you should be ok

[mumofstig]

DD said

You noticed the change then!

Of course we noticed the change........... but couldn't make a sensible comment  

[DD.]

Made peapod's eyes water!

(Sorry for going OT. This doesn't usually happen. Much _

[cooperman]

i made the mistake once of trying to be thrifty - very very sporadic from old seed - so I always plant fresh, you get loads in a packet - I always use the lot in a three hits.  I very rarely save any packets of seed - whats the point its great choosing new stuff and as long as youve made a note of the varieties that do well for you fine....

[DD.]

There's every point in spinning out your packets of seeds when they could cost you upwards of 60 quid a year otherwise!