Just planted parsnips and beets tonight...

.. and an hour later it is snowing. Hope they take hold and sprout!

I've never ever had a garden bed ready that I could plant in so early.

Feels very weird to have planted peas and onions last week, and parsnips and beets today.

I hope it isn't too cold, but I've checked several references and all say this is the right time.

I suppose if they don't sprout in a week or two, I'll just reseed. The planting is VERY easy with the square foot beds already established.

All will be well. No worries!

I am jealous! I am in the Ontario, Canada part of the Mid Atlantic Zone but we still have snow!

I planted parsnips on April 16 last year and they grew well. They take a while to germinate but you will get parsnips in the fall. They are tough and survived several frosts so don't worry about them.

Parnips are notorious for taking a long time to germinate, so don't rush to replant too quickly. I don't recall seeing sprouts for several weeks. They really don't take off until after the frost anyway, so don't panic if you don't see anything right away.

I have also planted beets the last couple years but my SFGs have yet to actually produce any beets. I get lots of leaves but no beet roots/bulbs. My beets germinate fine but just grow leaves. I didn't plant beets until late May or early June, maybe I should have started them earlier? I have been assuming that my SFGs have a nutrient deficiency of some sort as I have problems with radish and white turnip production too and my broccoli have also failed to grow heads (just lots of leaves).

Happy gardening! I can't wait to get outside into mine!

I have yet to get any actual beets, but I've had enormous beet Greens... don't overlook those!! Sauteed with a little butter and garlic they are most tasty and nutritious !!

I actually like the greens better than the beets, so if I just get greens, I won't complain! I planted two varieties.. detroit which is pretty standard, and then bull's blood which is often grown just for it's "greens" (which are dark red) though the beet is edible as well. Last year, I planted beets but it was late and they didn't amount to anything. Hopefully this year!