[mumofstig]

ooops! 

[strangerachael]

I also pre-germinate, but miss out the loo-roll stage and bung them straight into the ground. this year I have spread a layer of old compost on top of the soil, it's quite dark and warms up more than soil, and the chitted seeds have gone into that. They came up in no time.

[kari]

Blimey, I didnt realise they were so hard to get started, I have sown parsnips for the first time this year, I wasnt planning them, but I found an old packet of seeds I inherited from my dad and figured they'd be worth a try.

The seeds went straight in the ground early April and there are lots of little plants, but now i'm wondering if they are a very tidy row of weeds? I was expecting them to look like carrot seedlings but they dont.

Time will tell I guess

[Mrs Bee]

If you have got an old packet of seeds to grow you must have magic green fingers 'cos as I understand it parsnips are one of the veg that you need to have new seeds each year as germination rates are poor with old seed.

[aelf]

I've given up with them. No problems germinating parsnips but they never grow long n fat. Last year they looked great in the ground but were thin, forked and decimated by carrotfly. And it's only me that eats them so sha'n't bother again.

Well, not for a couple of years, anyway 

[smilydog]

My method.....
About mid April.
Iron bar in about 16" deep. Wriggle it about a bit to make a cone shape. Fill with compost or sifted soil with a bit of BFB. Continue at 8" centres and sow 3 seeds or thereabouts about 1/2" deep. Firm down and let them get on with it! When through, thin to strongest seedling. Have always had a great crop this way!. In previous years i have always bought fresh seed, but this year decided to try last years seed and still have close to 100% germination, so will try the same seed again next year, Simples!
Smilydog