Plodding on with shallots and parsnips
Having received my shallots last week, I’ve planted all that I’m going to plant out in compartmental trays to give them a head start before they go out in the open soil. I had more than was needed for this purpose so I filled three 23cm (9in) pots with compost and have planted four bulbs in each. These are tucked up under the staging until their li le green shoots appear. Then they’ll be put in full light on top of the staging. When they have about 20cm (8in) of green tops these can be pulled up and the brown outer sheaf of the bulb removed, giving me a bunch of spring onion substitutes.
While in this the sowing mood, it’s time to get my parsnips under way. I’m growing ‘Gladiator’ this year to give some protection from canker. These are sown on kitchen paper in a half seed tray and covered with another piece of kitchen roll. I moisten this tray and put it in a warm place, then carefully plant the seedlings in empty toilet rolls once a li le white tail appears.