[LeeR]

I've been using the following method for a few years now with great results.  Make a big cone (or parsnip) shaped hole in the ground with a big dibber and fill it up with compost, so seeds direct (3 or 4 per station should do) and cover seeds with a bit more compost.  Then just thin seeds as required.  The root should just grow in to the compost and it doesn't hit any stones so no forking.

[savbo]

plant direct and use plenty of seed, its the only way to get decent roots,

Oh no it's not  I didn't sow direct but have grown lovely parsnips

I agree - germinate in Richy pots and plant out as soon as first true leaves appear - lovely well-spaced plants with nice roots

[TerryB]

I've been using the following method for a few years now with great results.  Make a big cone (or parsnip) shaped hole in the ground with a big dibber and fill it up with compost, so seeds direct (3 or 4 per station should do) and cover seeds with a bit more compost.  Then just thin seeds as required.  The root should just grow in to the compost and it doesn't hit any stones so no forking.

I do the same but fill the holes with a mix of compost and sharp sand with some BFB added.
Try using toilet rolls instead of peat pots because they have no bottoms so root can go straight into ground.
Put the rolls into 24 segment trays which stops the compost from falling out the bottom and keeps the rolls from touching and getting mold on them.

[mumofstig]

Richy's paper pots, mentioned above, break down in the soil even quicker than toilet rolls 

[AlaninCarlisle]

I can't wait for spring to try those paper pots. The more I think about them the more sense they make:

Free compared to £1.99 for 48 peat-pots
Any depth you want
Rapid breakdown so no root check

[Yorkie]

Far safer bet I think 

Two things to remember: a) don't allow the paper to stick up above the soil after planting, or it will act as a wick and dry out; b) I'd still remove the bottom of the pot before planting, just to ensure no interim check to the tap root before the paper rots properly.

[Ian_A]

I collect cardboard loo rolls (and friend give me theirs too), cut them in half and fill each half with compost.

I then sow the parsnips in there (usually about 5 or 6 per half-roll).

Thin out to one per half-roll when germinated and, before the roots have a chance to reach the bottom, I plant them out in their cardboard rolls. So as they grow the cardboard withers away.

[sunshineband]

It strikes me we go to an awful lot of trouble for these parsnips  :blink:


Just as well they taste so good isn;t it?