"Bob Hobden" wrote in message
...
"Dave Hill" wrote

"Bob Hobden" wrote:
"Christina Websell" wrote

A while ago I asked you all about the likelihood of my German friend
having any success by sowing seeds very early that subsequent froze.
Almost everyone said "no chance"

She told me they are all up but her 3 y o seed is is slightly behind
the
fresh seed I sent.
She says this:

"what if English parsnip seeds fail so often BECAUSE it's not so
cold?
What if they germinate better if they had a really cold time in the
ground
before spring, and English gardeners never know because they never
try
because they don't believe it works.... (just a thought)"

I can't argue with her. Everyone on here said no chance but they are
up.

Well there's a thought, perhaps we will try planting them very early
next
year and see. Can always replant later if it fails but it's worth a
try. A
lot of tree seed has to be "stratified" before it germinates so why not
Parsnip.


Just put the seed packets in the fridge for a couple of weeks before
planting

Yes, that's a much better idea. Thanks.

Except your fridge is +5C and what I am talking about in Germany
was -15-20C. I did not believe the parsnips would come up either but they
have.

Tina