Following the interest in parsnip seed in previous years, I have prepared a fresh batch this year. Parsnip, unlike many of the seeds I save, does not last well - its viability drops off after year 1 and after year 2 it is really disappointing, so I prepare and thresh parsnip seed every other year if not every year.
To produce our own parsnip seed we hold over selected heritage (true breeding) parsnips into their second year - and letting them raise their impressive flower spikes (now known as the "triffid parsnip" - thanks sandbender!)
8 foot parsnip by British Red, on Flickr
They have to be staked and the odd pest removed until they are pollinated and the seed is fully set.
Parsnip Seed Plant by British Red, on Flickr
The mature heads are then air dried inverted in the barn
Parsnip seeds drying by British Red, on Flickr
Finally we thresh them -
Parsnip Seed by British Red, on Flickr
Given these are a heritage variety (Tender & True), by growing them, its perfectly possible for you to do the same - and never buy parsnip seed again
However, the one thing with parsnip seed is it only keeps for a year or two, so you have to keep the cycle going. This being so, we have more than we need from this batch.
The seed is packaged in packs of at least 200 and come with full planting instructions - and even a little history
Parsnip Seed by British Red, on Flickr
How much do we charge? Well, its a packet of seeds. It would be great if you would like to make a donation to cover postage and packing and effort - I'll provide my PayPal address - but if you are skint, please, don't feel obliged - its enough that other people get a chance to grow their own.
That said, if I get enough this year from the different seeds and tubers, I want to add two new apple tree varieties with good keeping qualities - we are cropping on the trees we first planted now - but I am comping to realise that we not lots more for self reliance
If you want some, please make a post on this thread and PM me your full name and address.
Red
To produce our own parsnip seed we hold over selected heritage (true breeding) parsnips into their second year - and letting them raise their impressive flower spikes (now known as the "triffid parsnip" - thanks sandbender!)
8 foot parsnip by British Red, on Flickr
They have to be staked and the odd pest removed until they are pollinated and the seed is fully set.
Parsnip Seed Plant by British Red, on Flickr
The mature heads are then air dried inverted in the barn
Parsnip seeds drying by British Red, on Flickr
Finally we thresh them -
Parsnip Seed by British Red, on Flickr
Given these are a heritage variety (Tender & True), by growing them, its perfectly possible for you to do the same - and never buy parsnip seed again
However, the one thing with parsnip seed is it only keeps for a year or two, so you have to keep the cycle going. This being so, we have more than we need from this batch.
The seed is packaged in packs of at least 200 and come with full planting instructions - and even a little history
Parsnip Seed by British Red, on Flickr
How much do we charge? Well, its a packet of seeds. It would be great if you would like to make a donation to cover postage and packing and effort - I'll provide my PayPal address - but if you are skint, please, don't feel obliged - its enough that other people get a chance to grow their own.
That said, if I get enough this year from the different seeds and tubers, I want to add two new apple tree varieties with good keeping qualities - we are cropping on the trees we first planted now - but I am comping to realise that we not lots more for self reliance
If you want some, please make a post on this thread and PM me your full name and address.
Red
Last edited:
