If you read the instructions on the back of parsnip seed packets then you will gain the impression that they are very easy to grow. What they don’t tell you though is that parsnips are notoriously slow to germinate, or will will refuse to germinate at all. Even if you can get your parsnips seedlings to grow they are so slow to start they can quickly become swamped with weeds. Convention wisdom is that you cannot start root vegetables in seed trays as the roots do not like being disturbed. However, there are a couple of options available to you.

Whichever method you choose there are a few universal rules:

• Parsnips like a long growing period; sow March to April (earlier sowings may result in canker) and harvest winter (or even into early spring).
• Whilst it usually makes good economic sense to save any unused seed to use the following season, parsnips are an exception as the seeds do not keep well. So always use new seeds.
• Make sure you have dug the ground well – they are root vegetables after all.

Standard Method for Growing Parsnips

1. Dig a shallow trench about 15mm (half an inch) deep. You will need about 38cm (15 inches) between rows.
2. Sow three or four seeds about 10cm (4 inches) apart and cover with soil.
3. You will need to keep watered well throughout the growing season.
4. As the seeds germinate you will need to thin out the weaker plants to let the stronger ones grow.

As I have already said, the problem with this method is that the seeds are very slow to germinate often refusing to germinate at all. This can lead to a problem of seedlings being swamped by weeds, or of seedlings being accidentally removed along with weeds. It can help to mark with a stick where you have sown your seeds to reduce the chances of accidental removal.

Germinating Parsnips on Kitchen Paper

To deal with slow germination issue, what you can do is help them along their way by starting them on damp kitchen kitchen paper. Simply put several pieces on kitchen paper in a suitable container and moisten it with a fine spray of water. The paper needs to

be moist rather than wet. Then place your seeds over the kitchen paper. You will need to spray the paper daily to ensure that it does not dry out.

Once the seeds have sprouted roots, they need to transferred VERY CAREFULLY into their growing position. It is a good idea to make a small hole with a pencil or thin stick so that you can drop them in root downwards.

You should allow the same spacing as in the standard method above. To maximise your chances of a good result it is a good idea to sow three or four at a time and then thin out the strongest once they have started to grow above ground.

This method is by no means perfect as seeds can perish in the transfer from paper to ground. Make sure you do not leave it too long to before you plant out otherwise you reduce your chances of a successful result.

Sowing Parsnip Seeds in Toilet Roll Tubes

Another option is to start your parsnip seeds off in toilet tubes filled with compost. Stand your toilet roll tubes in a seed tray. To keep them upright it is better to fill the tray with as many tubes as you can. Then fill each tube with seed compost. Sow a seed in each tube and water well. You should water them daily to make sure they do not dry out, but do not be tempted to cover with glass, clear plastic or a propagator lid as this is likely to cause mould to grow on your toilet roll tubes.

As soon as the seedlings appear you will need to transplant them carefully into their final position and water in well. You should be aware that the roots develop quicker than the tops so if you leave them too long you will find the roots are quickly poking out of the bottom. In this case the transplanting may be less successful as you will be disturbing the roots.

Conclusion

Each of these methods have their advantages and flaws. The standard method is the simplest and, when it works, produces the best results. However, there is a significant risk of seeds refusing to germinate or of accidental removal with weeds due to the fact they grow so slowly.

Starting the seeds on kitchen paper reduces the risk of the seeds failing to germinate, but the survival rate in transferring to the seed bed can be a little hit and miss.

Starting the seeds off in toilet roll tubes can remove some the uncertainty out of growing parsnips, but there is a tendency for the resulting parsnips to fork where they leave the compost and hit the soil of the seed bed, especially if you leave them too long before planting out. This has tended to be my preferred method in the last couple of years, but I have yet to completely perfect it, so I think I will continue to experiment to improve my results.