Germination issues
So, I know that parsnips have a lower germination rate, like carrots, but I have tried 4 years in a row and I get a pitiful germination rate - even from new seeds (WCS gladiator). They're definitely not drying out. Would it be better only to cover the seeds with a bit of peat moss or something light like that, rather than a bit of soil? At a loss here!
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Danoost
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Carrots and parsnips are among the more challenging crops to germinate. Soil must be kept moist the entire time through the germination period (around 10-15 days for parsnips). Water frequently in short bursts through the heat of the day.
Alternatively, you could cover the ground after seeding with a sheet of plywood, a board or moistened cardboard. With the plywood in direct contact with the soil, the seed will be kept moist. Check under the plank of wood after 7 days. If you notice germination has happened remove it.
Late June, around the summer solstice, is the latest that we can sow parsnips here on the West Coast.
Alternatively, you could cover the ground after seeding with a sheet of plywood, a board or moistened cardboard. With the plywood in direct contact with the soil, the seed will be kept moist. Check under the plank of wood after 7 days. If you notice germination has happened remove it.
Late June, around the summer solstice, is the latest that we can sow parsnips here on the West Coast.
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TomF
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I have never tried Parsnips before but I had great success with carrots in a new planting area this June. I cut down an old Forsythia to get more food space. I just cut the forsythia to ground and left the roots in but the carrots were planted a couple of feet away. I just pulled the Creeping Buttercup that was covering the area, gave the ground a little broad forking with my Radius Stainless steel fork, spread a couple of inches of my compost and planted the seeds.
I made a strip depression with a piece of bamboo as a guide and after sowing the seeds into the rows, I covered the seeds in the depression with some of Andrew's Worm castings. After watering them in, I covered the new bed with a sheet of white polyethylene tarp. I have started to cover all my sown seeds to maintain moisture until I see a sign of germination in this way. The carrots did well. I believe that the worm castings may have been the key to the high rate of success in germination. Maybe try giving the seeds a boost with some great biology at the time of sowing with some Worm Castings.
I made a strip depression with a piece of bamboo as a guide and after sowing the seeds into the rows, I covered the seeds in the depression with some of Andrew's Worm castings. After watering them in, I covered the new bed with a sheet of white polyethylene tarp. I have started to cover all my sown seeds to maintain moisture until I see a sign of germination in this way. The carrots did well. I believe that the worm castings may have been the key to the high rate of success in germination. Maybe try giving the seeds a boost with some great biology at the time of sowing with some Worm Castings.