Allotments 4 All
General => Top Tips => Topic started by: MikeB on March 12, 2006, 16:16:44
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For anyone who's had problems - like me last year - with parsnips either not growing very large, or growing like alien multi-legged tennis balls (!!), I suggest you try what I did this year:
Get a big stake or fence post
Chanfer off the corners to give you a reasonable point
Push about 12"-15" into the ground, twist a bit, then pull out
Fill hole with bagged compopst mixed about 3 parts compost to 2 parts sand
Sow two seeds on the top of the compost/sand mix
Make the next hole aobut 6" away from the edge of the first.
Repeat.
Cover the whole lot with a very thin sprinkling of more compost and sand mix
When they germinate, remove the weakest looking seedling (if both germinate)
I did this for the first time this year - to much ridicule from one of my fellow plot holders - and also sowed another lot as normal, in the same raised bed or well sifted soil.
Results?
The parsnips sown in the dibbed holes we universally long, straight and nearly all a decent size (about 10" to 12" long, about 2" to 3" across at the top.
The others grew well, but several are small and stunted, several have multiple appendages, and none are as big as the other lot.
All were Tender & True.
I'll certainly be donig the same again this year - as will my vocal neighbour!
Tony
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sounds good to me Mike...will be giving that a go ;D ;D
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I cannot believe this !!!
I was designing an identical device using a metal tube last night. Looks like I have been beaten to it again ... ;D
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This is good advice. I more or less do this but I think the planting pole is a good idea as I think I didn't go far enough down last year, so did have some that forked. Thanks Mike! :) busy_lizzie
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Sounds good, may use a lot of compost though.
I may try one row like this, one in paper pots and one sown normally.
Now I need to work out how many parsnips I need (100?) and delay planting until the soil is warm enough (still covered in snow)
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I think the trick is using the stake to clear any stones or obstructions out of the way, not the compost. I believe that sieved earth would be just as good. Refill the hole to within 2" of the top and place your paper pot with the germinated parsnip seed in, into the hole, magic, instant parsnip. Well we can dream.
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I have just made a planter myself, using scrap metal tube. I intend to use sieved soil as well.
Sorry for lack of a photograph, but it looks pretty basic really, similar to Mike's !
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but it looks pretty basic really, similar to Mike's !
Do you mind, I'll have you know that mine is a highly engineered piece of kit, made to an extremely fine tolerance of +/- 3"
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Do you mind, I'll have you know that mine is a highly engineered piece of kit, made to an extremely fine tolerance of +/- 3"
LOL ;D
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Sorry Mike !!! Can I remove my foot from my mouth now ... ?
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At the same time, I was asking my son to make something similar to plant all those loo roll seedlings (my dibber is a tad on the small side). What a beaut mike. When will you be offering these on ebuygumbay? :o ;)
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What a beaut mike. When will you be offering these on ebuygumbay? :o ;)
I would, but I can't decide what colour range, should they come with accessories? Do you need a for show one and one hidden in the shed for use? Do I need to do home visits (similar to the RSPCA) to check that they are being treated properly? You see, it seems easy at first glance, but when you think it through..well!
Regards
MikeB
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LMAO! ;D ;D ;D
I just don't have the skill mike, esp. the 3" tolerances, so if you might be tempted to whittle a trial model for self-assembly here, just let me know!
ssx
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One question re the compost and sand mix: what sort of sand?
Thanks,
Stuart.
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Do they come in differing sizes to cover off the 95th percentile for height?
Is there a lightweight ladies version?
A metric option for the younger generation?
A specialist version at double the price for those growing those trendy miniature veg?
Can it be used safely around animals? fish?
Is there a safety guard for the cackhanded amongst us? Do I need safety specs to operate it safely? Is there a fully illustrated instruction manual in 15 obscure languages?
Only asking.
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Do they come in differing sizes to cover off the 95th percentile for height?
Is there a lightweight ladies version?
A metric option for the younger generation?
A specialist version at double the price for those growing those trendy miniature veg?
Can it be used safely around animals? fish?
Is there a safety guard for the cackhanded amongst us? Do I need safety specs to operate it safely? Is there a fully illustrated instruction manual in 15 obscure languages?
Only asking.
You see how differcult it can become ;D ;D ;D and I have a larger one for potatoes.
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See what you started mike ;) ;D ;D
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Yes and to retail the artifact within the EC you need to append the 'ce' mark, and create the necessary documentation, including a risk assessment, user manual, technical construction file, it goes on ... ;D
However, it looks like you have a good customer base ...
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Due to the total lack of interest in these planters they are being withdrawn from the market. Any orders already placed will not be honoured and no money will be refunded. ;D ;D ;D
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LMAO@mike ;D ;D ;D
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I should have known that something good was going on...kept seeing 'parsnip planter' whenever I logged on - don't grow parsnips meself, so.........but then I wondered what was the interest here?
Just the tonic I needed after a visit to the dentist this morning ;D ;D ;D
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One question re the compost and sand mix: what sort of sand?
Thanks,
Stuart.
Sorry Stuart its only just registered that someone was actually asking a serious question, you could use horticultural sand but thats expensive, I should imagine that sharp sand would be more than OK
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OK, I have a field report back on the trial run of my metal version of the parsnip planter.
In my version, both ends of the planter are used. The end with the footpads on is used to create the hole, a little waggle makes the hole a little larger. The planter is then upended, and the long straight end is inserted into the hole. Rotation of the device enlarges the hole in a conical fashion, without scuffing of the surrounding area by the footpads.
Final opinion? Excellent! Although I designed mine independently, I will allow Mike to retain design rights since he 'got there first' ! ;)
I have done one row of about 30 parsnips and will do another row at the weekend. The other rows will be done in the traditional manner to provide a comparison ...
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Hi Curry,
I intend doing mine like the figure 5 on a domino per square foot,
3"
X X X X
6" X X
X X X X
3" 6" 3"|3" 6" 3"|
I think this will give the maximum yield with the least wasted space without crowding the parsnips.
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I'll be doing mine offset too mike, at 4" :)
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OK, I have a field report back on the trial run of my metal version of the parsnip planter.
In my version, both ends of the planter are used. The end with the footpads on is used to create the hole, a little waggle makes the hole a little larger. The planter is then upended, and the long straight end is inserted into the hole. Rotation of the device enlarges the hole in a conical fashion, without scuffing of the surrounding area by the footpads.
Final opinion? Excellent! Although I designed mine independently, I will allow Mike to retain design rights since he 'got there first' ! ;)
I have done one row of about 30 parsnips and will do another row at the weekend. The other rows will be done in the traditional manner to provide a comparison ...
In my version being highly engineered no waggling is required since a precision hole (within the well publicised and world famous tolerance values, which due to the keenness of this particular designer have now been reduced to +/- 2 7/8", yes that's right a massive reduction of 1/8").
Only one end needs to be used since it made the hole correctly in the first place,(this should be of interest to our Lady gardeners who would get their hands dirty and icky with the other inferior metal longer lasting comes in several colours woosey designed planter) since it needs reversing. (remember the car this is not good)
No rotation is necessary since the Superior planter is chamfered for easy extraction and doesn't enlarge the hole requiring the use of more expensive compost, which will be of Major interest to our Senior client base, YES! we listen to our clients, although we don't have any at the minute since all orders are cancelled due to the under cutting of our market with a cheap metal version.
Scuffing in the immediate area or anywhere else is something a gentleman would never do.
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(this should be of interest to our Lady gardeners who would get their hands dirty and icky with the other inferior metal longer lasting comes in several colours woosey designed planter) would never do.
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Oy! cheeky b****r check out the name! ;D and I'll have you know I'm a fully fledged girl (mind you I am going for a manicure tomorrow, just can't get that dirt out meself) ;D
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Yes but from Kent, well I mean..... ;D ;D ;D
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Curry any chance of a photo?
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I'll be doing mine offset too mike, at 4" :)
Would that give you 9 per square foot? Have you done it this close before? and with what results? or is this your first go at this spacing?
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mike>> how did you attach the foot bar to the post? erm, in non-engineer speak that is! ???
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mike>> how did you attach the foot bar to the post? erm, in non-engineer speak that is! ???
Drilled a hole through the post and then bashed a metal rod into it and out the otherside. Sorry tried to simplify it but us engineer types, we just have our own language
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Photo? I will see what I can do Mike, in the meantime I am falling about with laughter at your sales pitch !!! Rest assured I am a do-it-myself man, no-one else gets the benefit of my skills ... :)
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Hi Curry, what spacing did you go for?
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Would that give you 9 per square foot? Have you done it this close before? and with what results? or is this your first go at this spacing?
Yup, 8-9 per square foot. I have planted this close in rows before, but not offset, so that bit is experimental ::)
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I worked on 6 inch spacing Mike, I reckon that would give me decent sized parsnips and also making the tapered holes didnt cause the adjacent ones to collapse ... this is very much a learning curve though ... :) I will be making a second row about 9 inches spaced from the first, purely because that suits my local conditions.
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Right chaps, I bought a 5 ft sharpened tree stake today and here's what I plan to do:
screw on a strong shelf bracket as a footpad (one side only), which can be de-mounted for ease of storage and cleaning
mark the base at two levels for the required depth a) for planting toilet rolls (and their contents) and b) for making parsnip and kitchen roll holder holes
;D ;D
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screw on a strong shelf bracket as a footpad (one side only), ;D ;D
Just a tip, don't forget to check wether you are right or left footed before you screw the bracket on. ;D ;D ;D
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Ah I am ahead of you there Mike, if you rotate the dibber so the bracket is to the left, and write L in indelible marker on the handle, then write R on the other side, it becomes a dual purpose tool eh? You see, I am brighter than I look ;D
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a) for planting toilet rolls (and their contents)
YUK..... :o ;D ;D
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sounds like a very good idea . My plot is sandy , so I just stick them in around end of March . I spot or station sow and space out to about nine inches . The result is a parsnip around four inches across and around eighteen inches long . They seem to get attacked by carrot fly , anybody know how to beat this , Ive tried everything , nothing seems to work .
Might try the cds though - that works with pidgeons and keeps them off the cabbages.
Old Tom the gardener
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MikeB can i suggest that you put your super parsnip planter up on the wiki. I may try and makeone next year by which time this thread will be long gone. Hope it not cheeky of me to suggest it. sarah.
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How can I refuse a Lady of such refinement and good taste, who recognises a highly sophisticated planter when she sees one. (unlike the poor substitute offered by the other one ;D ;D ;D)
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" a) for planting toilet rolls (and their contents)"
Hey Supersprout, any spare seeds for those aloe vera toilet rolls? They cost a fortune in the shops & I could save oodles if I can grow my own.
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;D. of course i am hoping curry will post his fantastic devise also, it just that yours has pictures and currys sounds a bit too high tech for me :P ;D ;D
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;D. of course i am hoping curry will post his fantastic devise also, it just that yours has pictures and currys sounds a bit too high tech for me :P ;D ;D
Have you not been reading the previous posts on this thread? HIS is too high tech?? ;D, HIS is the basic model, low grade, poorly constructed and not to such a high tolerence ;D, Mentioning no names, but we both know who I mean. ???
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;D o dear what have i said! ;D Please be gentle with me, I have just had a filling at the dentist
I am under the influence of a very numb lip and dont know what I'm saying!! Wish I had kept my trap shut now ??? ;D
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No problem, as long as you recognise the error ;D ;D. It would be fair to say then that WE both agree that Curry is inferior :D, that is to say his planter. :o.
Seriously hope your teeth are OK and all is well.
Regards
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Well to be fair, I never did claim mine was technical superior, so you could be right in it being less appealing. However, it only needs to do my bidding, ie this prototype could well be the last model :D There you go, no competition ...
I am still working on the pictures by the way ...
63 yards of parsnips planted anyway, of which 14 yards are using the dibber ...
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Delusions of grander, I just noticed you have become a God over the weekend, I bow before your greatness, (only for another 25 posts)
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I bow to the superior knowledge of you both in my not-so-newness :D I shall look forward to seeing all your inventions on the wiki. ;D I shall now go and dribble my way up to the school.
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Actually I became a god this morning, but with the clocks changing, I am confused as to when it is anyway ...
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Hey Supersprout, any spare seeds for those aloe vera toilet rolls? They cost a fortune in the shops & I could save oodles if I can grow my own.
groan froglets ;D ;D
Just wait until my lay-dees version has passed quality control and is ready for trials, the bracket will be adjustable for height and ability to lift leg ;)
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As promised, here are pictures (rather poor ones) of that inferior metal dibber thingy.
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Hey Curry! Looks like a broadsword! Just the sort of thing a god needs for doing battle with lesser mortals. ;)
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Well it is definitely fun to use grawmentor. But I doubt it possesses the style and quality of the wooden equivalent. For battling with the gods, see my new toy post in the Shed ... that is something that definitely doesnt have a wooden version (not that works anyway ;D)
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Looks like a broadsword! Just the sort of thing a god needs for doing battle with lesser mortals. ;)
Or the children of the night. Wouldn't have thought you had trouble with vampires with all that garlic though curry ??? 8)
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Or the children of the night. Wouldn't have thought you had trouble with vampires with all that garlic though curry ??? 8)
That is something that the wooden version definitely has an advantage over the metal equivalent, in that it can be made into stakes ...
Yes I will continue with my garlic approach ...
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The long-awaited lay-dees version of the famous parsnip planter is off the bench! Note adjustable foot pedal and night-vision depth gauge for a) planting loo rolls and b) boring deeper holes e.g. for parsnips. This versatile model converts to a plant stake and handy shelf support when not in use.
It's not been road tested so there may be more exciting modifications and no, it won't be painted pink ;)
(http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e220/supersprout/DSCN0888.jpg)
It's my first home-made allotment tool, inspired by Mike and Curry :-*
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This is definitely exciting stuff. I am impressed supersprout, even although you shunned my version for the wooden concept ;) You never know, A4A could become the world leader in parsnip planter design, there will be pilgrimages, Dan's hit rate will rocket and he will need a supercomputer just to handle the bandwidth ... :D
Perhaps we should keep an eye on the pages of the Financial Times ...
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Excellent job SS, when not in use you could lend to some children as a pretend rocket launcher. ;D ;D ;D
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;D ;D ;D I was taught by the Best ;D ;D ;D
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Have loved this thread all the way thru! ;D Am just going to use a big pointy stick myself with no foot-step on it - being somewhat unsophisticated and definitely not techy (tho Mr W will no doubt get his hands on it and "refine" it ::))
Anyway, pont is(pun deffo intended), I am now looking forward to seeing all your designs for a Parsnip Puller-Outer which will definitely be needed for all the enormously loooooong parsnips grown in all the enormously deeeeep holes!!
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Crikey wicker, hadn't thought ahead d'oh! :-[
Nice challenge that ;)
;D ;D ;D
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...and no, it won't be painted pink ;)
Oh... :(
I think a few highlights would just set your brand apart from the others ;)
(http://www.cyberhounds.com/chickens/images/pinkhighlights.jpg)
And the parsnip puller outer - now that I've got to see ;D
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And the parsnip puller outer - now that I've got to see ;D
Sorry it's still on the secret list, but it does involve a pump handle!! ;D ;D
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Oh lisa (wipes away tears of laughter) I was going to take a stand on your colouring in, but ... the pink is growing on me!
>:( :( ::) :-\ :) ;D
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Loved this thread.
Going to make a piledriver tomorrow and pitch it against the loo roll jobbies.
Germination will inevitably be the decider.
1) Loo rolls in a big plastic container in the G/H - germinated & planted in the bore holes.
2) Seeds planted in compost in the bore holes.
I know which I'd like to do!