saracook31 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 Talking to a man down at the allotment the other day, he was saying that a friend sows parsnips most the year. According to him, they don't get as big if sown later than normal but still reach near supermarket size! Has anyone else heard the same or tried this? Mums loves parsnips, but don't want to waste my time if nothing comes of them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 I thought that they needed a long growing season. We planted some in March and they are still not that big and I won't be harvesting them for a month or more yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 I have never had much success with parsnips, but this year I was determined to get a crop. I Usually sow the seeds and then after 4 weeks of nothing coming up,I fotget there were there and dig over the area and sow something else. This year I sowed and covered the area with mesh and left them. They have done really well I thought you were supposed to sow them in Feb/March and harvest after the first frosts? The frost makes them sweeter or something like that? They do need a very long growing season. I was always told to use fresh seed every year as the seed isn't that reliable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 I thought its sow before the last frost harvest after the first frost I don't like to harvest till they've been frosted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 I sowed mine months & months ago, & have already had baby ones when I thinned them out. The rest are doing very well, but then root veggies grow well for me.Can't do anything cabbagey though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majorbloodnock Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 Agree about the frost, but you can make a good approximation by chucking them in the freezer for an hour or so after harvesting. Takes a bit of experimentation not to end up with solid parsnips that thaw to a mush, but worth the effort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 Perhaps he grows his undercover for a succession. Usually they are sown around spring or early spring and they are ready in autumn and over the winter. They taste better when the frost has been at them, so I never harvest them before that either(when they decide to grow and nothing munches the seedlings ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 This thread has got me all excited about my parsnips! I managed to stop myself from pulling any up to have a look. I'm going to try and forget about them until we've had some frost. I'm inspired to sow some more though (if I can find any room!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 You can always try the square foot gardening method - or available gap in your case! It will be small enough for a cloche too. You could use some recycled squash bottles - cut off the ends and put over the top when the weather starts to get cooler, and a white fleece jacket to protect from frost and snow??? etc. later on. I haven't done anything like that, but if you are willing to have a bash - nothing ventured, nothing gained as they say. Let us know what happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
