"David in Normandy" wrote in message
...

"Charlie Pridham" wrote in message
Yes, and they also suggest sow very early and we get a much better
germination if we wait for April, the crop is very good even with this
"late" sowing ours are typically about 18" long and take a bit of
lifting!
Charlie, gardening in Cornwall.

Wow! I planted mine in April and while germination is very good mine are
not so big :-(
I'm too embarrassed to say how long they are. Though they do say it isn't
the size that matters.
I've certainly made up for it in quantity if not size.

The problem with mine is possibly due to the soil - only a month before it
was unkempt lawn until I rotovated it and I hadn't had time to add any
organic matter to it. They haven't had any fertiliser either.
What soil conditions do you have and how do you treat them to get such
long ones?
--
David
... Email address on website http://www.avisoft.co.uk
... Blog at http://dlts-french-adventures.blogspot.com/



I think all these root crops need a light soil. I have heavy clay soil and
wouldn't bother trying to grow carrots or parsnips without creating a
special area of lighter soil for them to grow in. That or make special
tapered holes for them to be planted in, filled with sandy compost or
what-have-you.

Andy.