[Jeanieblue]

Parsnip seed sown at home failed miserably, even though it was a new packet of seed.
Was about to plant new seed today down the allotment, but was given a tray of seedlings. Planted those out, but then remember reading somewhere that parsnips hate root disturbance.

Not sure what to do ... whether to leave the seedlings and take pot luck, or pull them out, sow seed and .... take pot luck !!!!!   Help!   

[lucywil]

they are in now so you may as well leave them and see what happens, perhaps sow some from seed as well to compare results

[savbo]

my first 2 rows were so poor - onlt about 1/4 of seeds germinated - that I chitted my (admittedly 2 or 3 year old!) seed and planted up those that sprouted in modules - have a dozen or so coming up and will plant them out soon - see what happens!

M

[BazTheGardener]

Planted about sixty seed in modules early on in year, about 25 came up and was planted out two weeks ago the have come on well so am very hopefull. seed planted straight out hasn't shown at all. so it's modules for me so as not to waste the space. 

[Quetzal]

Last year I moved some of my thinnings into spaces where nothing had germinated, and they grew fine, so i think that if you are careful, they'll be ok being transplanted.

[Beejay]

I opened a new packet of parsnip seeds this year as is my won't.

I sowed them late March, but unfortunately only one germinated

I sowed a second batch (same packet) beginning of May, none germinated!!!!

I am beginning to wonder if old seeds are being redistributed as new.

The date on the back of the packet was sow by end of 2009! I have thrown the empty packet away in disgust and I am going to change my seed supplier. 

[Potiron]

 Whilst on the subject of Parsnips, is it too late to be sowing a few seeds?

[Beejay]

Whilst on the subject of Parsnips, is it too late to be sowing a few seeds?

Potiron
 
You will now will have to wait until next year. Your climate isn't much different to here in the West Country!

[Jeanieblue]

It's probably too late, I agree, but I've an open packet here so am going to sow a row between those transplanted seedlings and see what happens. Beats throwing the seed into the bin! Thanks everyone for your input ... hope you have a good season, parsnips or not! 

[GrannieAnnie]

I don't think any of my so called new seed germinated either! 

[galen]

Potiron

There are some varieties that can be sown in June, such as the one I'm growing for the first time, Panache F1

[Celery]

I have had 2 failiure with parsnip this year I do wonder whether it is any thing to do with the seed.  I am not going to try again I am going to some pack chio or chinese cabbage.
                                                                               
                                                                       celery

[tam]

The pack I have says up to June too I think.

[Potiron]

 Well I am going to give it a go. 30 very small paper pots (Richy's), two seeds to a pot and in the propagator to germinate, worked back in Feb, where there was at least one seedling to a pot.  Nothing ventured ect. and as Jeanieblue said, better than throwing the seed in the bin.

[Quetzal]

all the books say that germination with parsnips is very iffy.
they also often say to plant them early, but the riverford farm book says that they find that is not good for germination, so they plant them later, when the soil is warmer.

I'm obviously lucky, mine germinated before the carrots, and are hammering away at the mo...