"David in Normandy" wrote
, Bob Hobden wrote:


"Therefore" wrote
can you help , when transplanting Parsnip seedlings would it be beter
to trim the roots or just dib them in


Transplanting parsnips? Not usual to plant them other than in situ,
where they are to grow, as any root disturbance can cause the root to
split and IME they simply don't like it.

If you prune the roots you won't get parsnips unless it's the tops you
are after.


I've had a devil of a job getting them to germinate in-situ in the past.
By the time the soil is warm enough and they germinate they are lost
amongst weeds. Seem very hit and miss. At least I can get a crop by
transplanting them as seedlings from deep troughs. Forking isn't the end
of the world provided the forks aren't spindly.

How do you get them going in-situ? Do you use fleece or something?

I always wait until the soil has warmed, even planted quite late they always
catch up.
I push a metal rod into the soil and describe a circular motion with it
making an inverted cone shaped hole, basically the shape of a parsnip root.
I then fill this hole with old potting compost and plant 3 seeds on top
lightly covering the seeds. Water in carefully and wait. Discard the
unwanted seedlings if more than one germinate.

--
Regards
Bob Hobden
W.of London. UK