Parsnip question

[caroline7758]

My parsnips are sprouting new leaves from the tops. Is this bolting and shouldI dig them up?

[caroline7758]

[bionear2]

Nope - assuming they were planted this season, its just a parsnip being a parsnip!
If the foliage is lost through frost or just drys up, it will grow back when it can.
Do find it odd though, that it should have died-off so early. Mine are like a rain forest.

[caroline7758]

The main foliage hasn't died off,they are just producing new shoots fromthe top-

[bionear2]

Until the frosts hit them, the foliage just keeps growing bigger.
Would not worry about it, apart from a bit of rust they are usually bomb-proof, even if you chopped-off the leaves, they would just grow back!
Only thing to watch, if your area is as dry as ours, is a return to lots of rain - like carrots they can split open. I am giving mine some water from time to time.

[pieman]

Can parsnips be left in too long? As you've mentioned here bionear2, it seems most people leave them at least til the first frosts, but a couple that I've dug up are huge already and I'm a little concerned that I may miss them at their best.

David

[Tulipa]

Hi Pieman,

I usually leave my parsnips in all winter and dig them up as and when I need them, although I have to plan ahead if it is going to be frosty as the ground can be too hard for digging.  I dig up the last in early spring (around March) when they start to get woody in the centre.  You can dig them up before and store in sand as for carrots but if you don't have the space I would leave them in.  You can also freeze them by preparing them for roasting, blanching and covering in oil and freeze.  They then can be put on a baking tray from frozen and cooked in the oven.

Do you still have the seed packet as that will give you an idea of the harvest times? I grow Gladiator and they are always fine.

T.

[pieman]

Thanks Tulipa

Unfortunately the packet is long gone and I can't remember the variety, but it's reassuring to hear you've been able to leave them through the winter. It's my first year growing them (first year growing anything really!) so I guess I'll just carry on digging one or two up when they're required and soon find out if and when they start to lose their qualities.

Thanks again

David

[Chrispy]

I'm a little concerned that I may miss them at their best

Parsnips are at their best after a frost, if you see in the shops 'Sweet Parsnips' for sale, these are those harvested after a cold spell.
After this, you can normally leave them in till late Feb before they start to go woody.

[digmyplot]

Hi

Parsnips are bi annual or is it bi ennial? They grow on a two year cycle. This years roots grow tops which go to seed next year. They do taste better after a frost because the starches turn to sugar once the temperature is lowered.

cheers www.digmyplot.co.uk

[carosanto]

Hi Y'all

Inspired by this thread, I have just been preening over my parsnips which are wonderfuly leafy, and must, I thought, be huge underneath (no double enttendres here!).  So I dug one up. 

How the mighty are fallen, a puny little parsnip, showing all those wonderful leaves - The root is only about 4 ins long!  Is this a case of all fur coat and no undies, or will my parsnips develop into something edible!

I know the help is out there!

Regards Caro

[Chrispy]

My parsnips are well big enough by now, had a couple yesterday.

If you push back a bit of earth, so you can see the top of the root, you can see the width, so you can get an idea of the size before digging it up.

Having said that, parsnips first send down a tap root that then swells, if the root gets blocked on its way down, your fat parsnip my still be short, forked, or very strangely shaped, my come out some amusing shapes on my heavy soil.

The only reasons I can think of why your parsnips my be too small are
1. Need more growing time (when did you sow?)
2. Too over crowded.

I'm sure more experienced people may give you other reasons.

[carosanto]

Thanks conthehill, I did check planting spaces, and they have plenty of room.  I wouldn't mind but the leaves are positively lush and healthy looking, perhaps a good bit of rain might help, but I should hush my mouth here in Cornwall - cos when it rains he it just don;t stop!!!!.....and I am so enjoying this Indian Summer after yet another damp July and |august.

Regards, Caro