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Staffordshire - too early/cold to plant parsnip seeds?

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  • #1

    Staffordshire - too early/cold to plant parsnip seeds?

    Hello. I noticed on a 'what to plant this month' Ap thing that it is ok to plant parsnip seed now as they are 'frost hardy'. Can anyone concur with this? I am desperate to get going with this years vegging...but am mindful of my urge to do too much too soon!

    Also wondering if it's ok for parsnips....is it ok for carrots too!?

    Newbie question I know...grateful for any advice.

    Thanks,

    Toby
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  • #2
    Interesting one this,the plant is frost hardy but is the seed ,according to this (Germination tables from Heirloom Seeds - Know when to plant all your vegetables.) the optimum soil temperature for germination is 70 degrees F for parsnips & 75 for carrots.Are you planting them direct into soil outside or in a greenhouse/polytunnel ?
    He who smiles in the face of adversity,has already decided who to blame

    Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity

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    • #3
      I suppose in theory you could sow the seeds directly in the soil now as in nature they would have fallen from the plant in the Autumn.
      Thing is, they may well rot or be eaten by birds/mice .

      Personally I wouldn't risk it!
      As BB says, they won't germinate until their optimal germinating temperature is met.
      Last edited by Nicos; 11-01-2014, 11:36 AM.
      "Nicos, Queen of Gooooogle" and... GYO's own Miss Marple

      Location....Normandy France

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      • #4
        Toby
        I live in N Staffs. My experience of early planting is that rain, frost and snow in Feb/March either kills seeds or washes them away. I plant no seeds in the ground before April - and then only covered by cloches.
        Hope that helps.

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        • #5
          After thinking about this one,I am going to have a little experiment with a few seeds,germinate a few in a warm place,on some tissue,then transfer to a long kitchen towel tube,then only plant out when the soil is suitable,roll and all,just tear a bit of card from the top,so it will not act like a wick,after hardening off,loo roll middles are to short for the tap root,
          sigpicAnother nutter ,wife,mother, nan and nanan,love my growing places,seed collection and sharing,also one of these

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          • #6
            Thanks everyone. I like the idea of the kitchen roll tubes. Will also heed the advice about frost, rain, mice and birds!

            Thanks again! :-)


            Sent from my iPhone using Grow Your Own Forum mobile app

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            • #7
              Last year because of the late spring I planted my parsnip seed (Gladiator) in sweet pea tubes in the greenhouse at the end of March. On the plot I always make a tapered hole with a crowbar fill the hole with compost and plant 3 seeds into that thinning down to one after germination. Anyway nearly all the seed germinated and when the weather improved I planted them out tube and all. I have got an excellent crop, the parsnips are somewhat squat but with only two of us one root does two meals.

              Another tip given to us by a friend of my wife is to cook some parsnip when cooking chips in the deep fat fryer. Not very good for the waist but delicious.

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              • #8
                Originally posted by bearded bloke View Post
                the optimum soil temperature for germination is 70 degrees F
                Originally posted by Madasafish View Post
                I plant no seeds in the ground before April
                Same here. People think carrots are "hardy" but they actually need warmth to germinate. Same for parsnips
                All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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