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Photo Gallery => The Gallery => Topic started by: Plocket on September 27, 2005, 12:49:21

Title: First EVER Parsnip Harvest!
Post by: Plocket on September 27, 2005, 12:49:21
I grew these in containers!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v286/plocket/IMG_7328.jpg)
Title: Re: First EVER Parsnip Harvest!
Post by: aquilegia on September 27, 2005, 13:12:33
THey look scrumptious!

What size container and how many parsnips per container? (I can't grow them in the ground - so I'm trying containers too!)
Title: Re: First EVER Parsnip Harvest!
Post by: Doris_Pinks on September 27, 2005, 14:02:42
Well done Plocket! They look lovely  ;D
Title: Re: First EVER Parsnip Harvest!
Post by: dibberxxx on September 27, 2005, 14:44:00
They would go done a treat roasted weldone :) :)
Title: Re: First EVER Parsnip Harvest!
Post by: Plocket on September 27, 2005, 15:33:39
Hi Aqui!

I used various containers but that lot came from four pots, one was a 12 inch diameter pot, and the other three were 10 inches in diameter. The seeds were planted about 2 inches apart I guess but we have already eaten the thinnings.  I've still got a large rectangular green plastic "toy box" (14 inches by 18 inches I would guess) full of parsnips but they aren't ready yet, and three "clematis" pots which are only 6 inches in diameter but still about 10 inches tall. We love parsnips!!!

They are called "Lancer" and I'm certainly going to grow them again.
Title: Re: First EVER Parsnip Harvest!
Post by: aquilegia on September 27, 2005, 16:11:56
Thanks Plocket. Maybe I'll try Lancer next year. My Tender and trues failed in the ground, so I sowed some in a 10in wide and rather deep pot about one month ago. Something is happening in there. I hope the seedlings are parsnips.
Title: Re: First EVER Parsnip Harvest!
Post by: Plocket on September 27, 2005, 16:29:21
I hope so for your sake Aqui! Mine did take a while to germinate though!
Title: Re: First EVER Parsnip Harvest!
Post by: Margi on September 27, 2005, 16:46:43
Oh Plocket - they're GORGEOUS! Didn't try parsnips this year, but they're now on the list for next year!

Margi x
Title: Re: First EVER Parsnip Harvest!
Post by: Plocket on September 27, 2005, 17:46:16
Hello Margi! I've just finished peeling and cutting them ready for the freezer. They smell divine! I want to roast and eat them NOW!
Title: Re: First EVER Parsnip Harvest!
Post by: wardy on September 27, 2005, 22:13:41
Wonderful snips them Plocket  :)  I forgot to sow mine (ninny) but my lotty neighbour has given me some and we had them in a chicken stewy soup last night.  They're dead versatile aren't they and soooo tasty.  I'll post a pic of mine next year  ;D
Title: Re: First EVER Parsnip Harvest!
Post by: Roy Bham UK on September 27, 2005, 22:18:58
What a lovely crop Plocket, well done ;) mine are still in the ground ::) I must pull one and see if they are ready yet ;D
Title: Re: First EVER Parsnip Harvest!
Post by: reedos on September 27, 2005, 22:29:24
Great harvest, I've never grown parsnips - mainly because when roasted they disguise themselves as roast potaoes - nothing worse than expecting to taste something and getting something else.

Might have a go next year though
Title: Re: First EVER Parsnip Harvest!
Post by: Hot_Potato on September 28, 2005, 02:38:49
they're brilliant Plocket....the whole row I sowed way back in the late Spring or whenever only produced 2 plants that look pretty healthy.....so now's the time to dig them then?.....

would like to try growing some in containers after seeing those....what compost do you use for them please?
Title: Re: First EVER Parsnip Harvest!
Post by: Plocket on September 28, 2005, 08:27:26
Hi Hot-Potato! I sowed the first lot (the ones we've just harvested)  at the end of March. The packet said that they could be harvested after about 12 weeks but they were no way near ready. I used general purpose compost - nothing with stones because I think I read somewhere that too much grit encourages them to fork, like carrots.
Title: Re: First EVER Parsnip Harvest!
Post by: Heldi on September 28, 2005, 13:30:25
Hurray! They look fab P.  I haven't pulled mine up yet.

When you cooking yours cos I'll be coming for tea!! Love parsnips.   ;D
Title: Re: First EVER Parsnip Harvest!
Post by: GREENWIZARD on September 28, 2005, 13:42:39
(http://photobucket.com/albums/y31/GREENWIZARD/smiley_abtu.gif) ~ clever girl :)
Title: Re: First EVER Parsnip Harvest!
Post by: undercarriage plan on September 28, 2005, 13:51:58
Wow, Plocket, they look delicious!! Must have a check on mine too!! Well done. Lottie ;D
Title: Re: First EVER Parsnip Harvest!
Post by: Svea on September 28, 2005, 13:58:01
i have had a few parsnips already but am leaving them in the ground until needed. i assume you emptied the containers because of frost potential?

looking super :) and they are dead tasty, too. to think, before i came to the UK, i had never even heard of the things.....
Title: Re: First EVER Parsnip Harvest!
Post by: Plocket on September 28, 2005, 14:44:14
Oh no Svea! They improve with a frost! I dug them up because they were ready, but to get the frost effect (it apparently improves the flavour) I will be freezing them first!
Title: Re: First EVER Parsnip Harvest!
Post by: undercarriage plan on September 28, 2005, 14:59:26
I leave my in to get a frost too, just dig them up as I need them. Think it really does improve the flavour, and I have no where else to store them!!
Title: Re: First EVER Parsnip Harvest!
Post by: beejay on September 28, 2005, 15:53:23
They look brilliant Plocket, you are obviously chuffed to bits. It's not some thing we generally bother to grow. My significant other reckons they're in the ground too long.
Title: Re: First EVER Parsnip Harvest!
Post by: Plocket on September 28, 2005, 17:20:58
Mine took about six months - when you consider the fantastic taste I think they are worth the wait!!!! I understand where your SI is coming from though.
Title: Re: First EVER Parsnip Harvest!
Post by: Lord Steve on September 30, 2005, 23:57:52
Well done, Plocket!! No longer a veggie virgin, then!!! I tried some parsnips in a container but I don't think they are anything like that. Last time I looked, they were still pencil thin.
Title: Re: First EVER Parsnip Harvest!
Post by: busy_lizzie on October 01, 2005, 00:02:38
These are excellent Plocket.  Well done!  I love parsnips but they can be tricky to grow.   :) busy_lizzie
Title: Re: First EVER Parsnip Harvest!
Post by: Debs on October 04, 2005, 21:31:29
Parsnips are one of my most favourite flavoursome veggies & very versatile

I am determined to grow some successfully next year.

This year's - all 4 of them, were a disaster.

Debs
Title: Re: First EVER Parsnip Harvest!
Post by: Plocket on October 05, 2005, 08:41:37
Good luck Debs!
Title: Re: First EVER Parsnip Harvest!
Post by: ina on October 05, 2005, 17:57:06
How fantastic Plocket! You are the parsnip queen 2005! Watch out, I'm coming next year.
Title: Re: First EVER Parsnip Harvest!
Post by: Plocket on October 05, 2005, 18:27:53
Oh Ina thank you, but hardly! They were out of containers - someone could easily grow bigger and better parsnips, and far more of them, in an allotment! Good luck with yours - they really are scrummy!
Title: Re: First EVER Parsnip Harvest!
Post by: Hot_Potato on October 07, 2005, 23:18:29
Hi Plocket - decided I'd dig up one of my only two plants day before yesterday when I went to lottie....tried easing handfork under and around it.....not a hope, wouldn't budge so got the big fork and eventually up came this huge parsnip....couldn't believe my eyes....sorry no picture (don't know how to do them) altho I did take a photo of it & other produce when I got home......when I weighed it, it weighed just under 2lbs!!!

As there's only me in the place, trying to decide how many ways I can use it  :P

I sowed the row back on 26th May but only the two germinated and they were Wilkinsons 'Hollow Crown'

Definitely want to try growing some in containers tho - you've inspired me, thanks

HP
Title: Re: First EVER Parsnip Harvest!
Post by: Plocket on October 08, 2005, 12:36:02
Ooooh and I bet your parsnip tastes gorgeous too! Have fun with the container parsnips - I'm trying a different sort next year so will see how I get on!
Title: Re: First EVER Parsnip Harvest!
Post by: Obelixx on October 08, 2005, 12:54:53
Hi Plocket - I went to inspect our crop in the ground and they're huge so we've dug them up before they get completely woody.  Also, quite a few have forked which I find odd as the soil is neither stony nor recently manured though it is very fertile and improved with garden compost.   I gave the biggest parsnip to the bull and he ate it with gusto whilst continuing to snort and complain.  I reckon I'll try both carrots and parsnips in containers next year and none for the bull..

Title: Re: First EVER Parsnip Harvest!
Post by: Plocket on October 08, 2005, 15:31:47
Sounds to me as though you are spoiling that bull: he'll be in your garden helping himself at this rate!