Parsnips in Bottles 2013

A question about : Parsnips in Bottles 2013

I have started lifting this years parsnip that I have grown in 2litre plastic bottles, here is the link to my original post:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=4272237&page=1

So far things are looking good, I have lifted about seven bottles, and only one was duff. The last parsnip I finally got out of the bottle weighed 14oz, and I have had nothing under 8oz. Here is anothe link to a photo of how they looked earlier in the summer:

Best answers:

• Why the bottles and not just into the ground?? Pest problems ??
• I thought I would give a final audit on the parsnip harvest. After l lifted the 97th and final bottle yesterday I had grown 37Lbs 8oz. This worked out at an average of just over 6oz per bottle, that includes duff bottles and diseased parsnips. The statistics are quite interesting; for the first 30 bottles, lifted in late summer, I averaged 9oz per bottle, after 63 bottles it dropped to just over 7oz per bottle, and that fell to the final result above. The final 20 or so bottles were sown very late, so there's a reason for the late fall off. I think the mild, wet winter has been a double edged sword; no frost, but very wet bottles, canker was on some, and others had been burrowed into. Next year I might lift the bottles and store them, perhaps after November.
  I haven't kept score on my carrots in bottles, but I lifted a bottle the other day, and the three carrots weighed a total of 1Lb 10oz, that's a record, I don't get many like that. But I have had quite a few good results this year; you know you have a jumbo bottle when the shape changes to triangular.
  I have got about 40 bottles sown with parsnip and carrot seed, an early start for this summer. The parsnips are old Hollow Crown. I know parsnip seed doesn't keep too well, but the packet says 2014, so I took a chance. I have put cut bread bags over each bottle, with an elastic band to hold it on. Some I have put in the garden, and some are in the greenhouse. If any don't germinate, I will just resow the bottle.
  The one thing that may lead me into trouble is that I am using the same soil. I re-sieve it to lighten it up again. I appreciate I could be carrying disease over, but I'll take a chance.
• This thread inspired me to try a few of these last year, I couldn't do very many as they needed to be kept out of the way of my dogs (who try and eat everything!) but here are the results.
  https://www.flickr.com/photos/91707691@N04/12029376954/
  https://www.flickr.com/photos/91707691@N04/12029384684/
  https://www.flickr.com/photos/91707691@N04/12029392854/
  Varying degrees of success but quite pleased with the results and will definately do these again this year, may even try some carrots!
  Thanks for the inspiration
• Momments
  Thanks for the feedback, I was wondering if anyone had given this method a try. Can you remember what type of parsnips you grew? In regards to your results, there seems to be quite a few multi-legs among them, did you sow the seeds direct? You will get these type of plants if you transplant, carrots are the same. What kind of soil mix did you have, were there stones in it? The plants don't have a smooth skin, that ribbed surface is caused by uneven watering; a little every day is better than a good soaking once a week, especially in dry periods. It's one of the disadvantages of this type of parsnip cultivation, there's not too much reservoir of water around the plant. I do hope you have another try this year, as I have put in my first post, it took me three years to get any real returns, and I am still learning from the mistakes I make.
• ColinS
  Sorry, I can't remember which variety they were. I planted them in small pots and then transplanted them to the bottles which would explain the feathering of them. Soil was a mixture of shop bought soil and home made compost but no stones in it. As for the watering.......you are correct, I really didn't worry about them too much and just let them do their own thing.
  The parsnips were edible and we all said how lovely the taste was. DH has applied for an allotment locally and if we manage to get one he is going to plant these on the allotment in bottles and see how they do. I would like some at home but I gave 2 border collies who love gardening and when 'pulling up' plants from the garden have no idea if it's a weed or not!
• Moments,
  Do remember, that if you try to transplant carrots the same thing will happen, you will get lots of little red octopusses - I learned that the hard way.
• Thanks for the feedback. I followed the original thread, and intended to give it a go. Given that I have a recycling bin bulging with plastic bottles from a clear-out, this is a timely reminder. So, to do, or not to do, that is the question....
• Moments,
  You could stand them in buckets or used tubs for a while. As long as the cap is on (and you remember to take it off when planting out) it should be ok. I find the bread bags very useful, I hope they will also keep the slugs off when the weather warms up.
  DaffyDuck,
  It's worth a go, even though it seems a lot of hard work. It's lovely and sunny here in Norfolk today. When I leave this library I will sow a few more carrots in bottles. At least I am making a start, and it makes summer appear that bit closer. Just make sure you have a decent soil mix, and stab at least four more holes at the bottom of the bottle for drainage. Of the 97 bottles I sowed last year 41 had parsnips of 8oz or over, it was just in the later months, when the weather got really wet the returns fell off. If you are already getting good results then this may not be for you. But I think a few bottles, and you seem to have plenty of those going spare, are worth sowing.
• What a GENIUS idea! I love home-grown carrots but have stuggled to avoid doggy-attentions etc in my little garden so far. I am DEFINITELY going to give this method a try though. Thank you, Colin S.
• I looked at your thread before OP but have never got around having a go. I am thinking I could start some parsnip and carrots off early in the greenhouse with the bottles in some big tubs I have that are waiting for the warmer weather-I usually use them for herbs. Then plant them around the edges of a raised bed-don't have deep bed so think they will help with soil depth.
  In fact thinking about it I also have a couple of those "green boxes" normally used for council recycling as well as some green bags from the same thing. Basically the council around this area moved from boxes to a full size bin for recycling and told people to reuse the boxes and bags for other stuff so we have a few of these from various people. The bottled could be planted in a layer of compost/soil in the boxes and the sides would hold it all together, hmmm.
  Just wondering how quickly after sowing/growing in the greenhouse I can move them out into the garden?
  I have some of the nantes seeds that are supposed to be frost resistant and various parsnip seeds that I will sprout before planting out.
  Just love the chance to get growing I think lol.
  Got some herb seeds to start indoors shortly as I can stand not growing something once the new year is in.
  Ali x
  Can I just ask how many you grow per bottle? I read on the old thread that you sowed 2 parsnip and 3 carrot seeds, but do you thin any out or just let them grow?
  I am going to try sprouting the old parsnip seeds I have from last year to see if any germinate at all, if not I will use the newer seed but waste not want not. I will only plant seeds that have sprouted so not sure if to plant one or two per bottle.
  Thanks
• I've to to be quick I'm between buses in the library at Aylsham.
  Two seeds per bottle in the center for parsnips.
  Six seed per bottle, spaced in two 120 degrees apart for the carrots.
  Thinned to one, and three respectively.
• They have buses in the library? Sssssssshhhh.... turn that engine off !
• ColinS, would starting the parsnips off in newspaper pots and then planting them directly into the bottles create the extra 'legs' growing do you think?
• moments,
  Yes, all plants like parsnips and carrots that send down a tap root will do this if transplanted. You could "sprout" the seeds by sandwiching them between damp cardboard or blotting paper, I am trying this at the moment, but only for a few seeds, just out of curiousity. I would advise you to just sow directly in the bottle, just to be on the safe side, I know that will work ok. Two seeds to each bottle, don't worry about saving money, seeds are cheap. Then thin to one, if two germinate. This is one of the advantages of growing the parsnips and carrots in bottles; you don't transplant the plant, you transplant the whole growing site (if you start the bottle off the the greenhouse, and then plant out later), without disturbing the plant.
• colinS
  Followed your instructions on growing parsnips in bottles and have just harvested them. Quite impressed by the results. Three parsnips weighing 9.8oz, 8.3oz and 4.1oz. Only three, there would have been more if I had remembered to take the caps of the other bottles
  Will definitely have another go this year. Thanks
• Flip1,
  It's good to hear somebody has had some success with parsnips in bottles. I am just in the middle of doing my audit for 2014, I shall post it under "parsnips in bottles 2014" in a few days time. I did warn about forgetting to take the caps off, I have lost count of the times I have done that. What was the name of the parsnips you planted? Did you try growing carrots also? You are sure to have a better harvest next year, I'm still learning, but each year I learn to correct another mistake; you will be able to read about those in the 2014 post.