Parsnip tops showing

[caroline7758]

The "shoulders" of my parsnips are showing above ground. As it'll be a long time before harvest, should I cover them up? I guess they've romped ahead with the hot summer, but could this mean that leaving them until they get frosted will result in woodier parsnips?

[caroline7758]

[Palustris]

Our parsnips are almost always out of the ground like that, seems to make no difference to them at all.

[Digeroo]

Do you have deer?   if so I would cover them, because the critters will gnaw the roots, they prefer carrots, but parsnips if do if there is nothing better around.   I earth them up. 

[caroline7758]

No deer- just rabbits and pigeons,

[saddad]

I find I get less canker in the crowns if I earth them up... 

[caroline7758]

Thanks, David, that's useful to know as I've had canker on my parsnips before.