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Parsnip advice.

Womble54Womble54 Posts: 348
in Fruit & veg
This is the first time growing parsnips. I’ve got them growing in a deep tub. THe foliage is being eaten by parsnip moth caterpillars, which I’m squashing whenever I see them, but otherwise looks pretty healthy.

I pulled one up to see how they’re looking. It’s a bit twisted but seems to be developing nicely. They’re pretty crowded in that tub. Can they be transplanted at this size like you can with leaks, or shall I leave them where they are and see how they get on?

Thanks in advance. Any other pearls of parsnip wisdom would be great.


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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 30
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • Womble54Womble54 Posts: 348
    Thanks scroggin. I’ll see if I can dig out the old box set.  ;)


  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384
    As scroggin said, don't try and transplant.  Like carrots, parsnips need to be sown in situ, not in modules or trays and transplanted which makes them form twisted roots. They ideally need deeper containers than you've used - I always grow a batch in a 60x60x60cm container, with 3 seeds sown at each station in a 5x5 grid (so each station is about 10cm apart), and the weakest seedlings removed if more than 1 germinates.  I consistently get about 20 good sized roots from that method.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 30
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530
    edited July 2018
    scroggin said:
    Womble 54,  :D:D
    Ditto. LOL when the penny dropped, it took half a minute.  One of my favourite series.

    You can always take the twisted 'snips to June next door.  Curmudgeons will know what I'm talking about, the rest of you needn't bother.
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