Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Self sown parsnip seedlings

Collapse

X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Self sown parsnip seedlings

    I was out in the garden after work yesterday and noticed a number of strange looking seedlings, not my normal weeds at all. Then I realised I was looking at some very healthy parsnip seedlings, self sown from my plant I had allowed to seed earlier in the year.
    What chance do you give them? It's still fairly mild here, but I suppose I'll lose them through the winter. If they did make it, would they run straight to seed? Anyone know or shal I just wait and see? They aren't in the way, so I don't need to root them out.
    I also have self sown white beet seeds. At least I know both seeds are viable, so I should be able to plant and swap without any doubts for next year.
    Last edited by BarleySugar; 21-10-2009, 08:23 PM.
    I could not live without a garden, it is my place to unwind and recover, to marvel at the power of all growing things, even weeds!
    Now a little Shrinking Violet.

    http://potagerplot.blogspot.com/

  • #2
    I'd pop a cloche over them and give them a chance. They'll survive being frozen, I think, and with a cloche they'll hopefully keep growing enough to give you useable sized ones before the end of winter.
    Last edited by SarzWix; 21-10-2009, 08:29 PM.

    Comment


    • #3
      What have you got to loose. I say go for it, and enjoy the bounty.
      "He that but looketh on a plate of ham and eggs to lust after it hath already committed breakfast with it in his heart"

      Comment


      • #4
        a chap on our site never sows parsnips he just lets a few self seed and off they go
        The love of gardening is a seed once sown never dies ...

        Comment


        • #5
          They've got as good a chance as they would have in the wild, and the species has been around a while now, hasn't it ! Mark you, if the parent was an F1 then there is no telling what size of root or characteristics you will get in any of the offspring - it will be a real lucky dip digging them up...
          They must be winter hardy, I have seen parsnips in raised beds survive a foot of snow in a walled garden where the temperature dropped to minus ten. I'm relying on that to give me parsnips next spring... I think the only problem is that they sometimes become rather woody in the middle of the root if you leave them in too long.
          There's no point reading history if you don't use the lessons it teaches.

          Head-hunted member of the Nutter's Club - can I get my cranium back please ?

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by Hans Mum View Post
            a chap on our site never sows parsnips he just lets a few self seed and off they go
            My neighbour had millions of seedlings this year, but because she never thinned them out, they were useless
            All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

            Comment


            • #7
              I just thought I'd resurrect this thread as I pulled some of these parsnips to go with dinner yesterday. It seemed strange for the time of year, but roasted with dinner they were delicious, very sweet. I didn't wait for them to get huge, as I really could do with the space they are taking up anyway. I found it amazing they made it through the winter we had, and then went on to grow rather than bolt.
              I could not live without a garden, it is my place to unwind and recover, to marvel at the power of all growing things, even weeds!
              Now a little Shrinking Violet.

              http://potagerplot.blogspot.com/

              Comment


              • #8
                Good for you, Barley Sugar - enjoy the rest of them.
                My hopes are not always realized but I always hope (Ovid)

                www.fransverse.blogspot.com

                www.franscription.blogspot.com

                Comment


                • #9
                  Heh I was going to say, argh! I just sowed some more (well a week or so ago - they're showing already mind!) but then noticed the date.. Sweet ! How large did they grow?

                  I'm tempted to pull one of mine now, it's probably about 5cm across in diameter (the neck of it) I think - will have a poke arond tomorrow when it's lighter - itchy fingers.

                  Comment

                  Latest Topics

                  Collapse

                  Recent Blog Posts

                  Collapse
                  Working...
                  X