I am growing parsnips for the first time so don't have much idea of what to expect. Is it normal for the foliage to grow over two feet tall? I have two short rows alongside a path and alongside them two rows of leeks. The poor leeks are too close to the parsnips (I'll know better next year ;D), so I've tied string round the parsnips holding it in place with strategically placed bamboo sticks.
When can I reckon on pulling the first parsnips? or leeks for that matter.
Tricia
Parsnips and leeks (unless an early leek) are both winter fodder. Parsnips are a lot better after they have had a frost or two.
Leeks after October if they are big enough parsnips December onwards.
Parsnip foliage can be quite tall - if you need to, move the leeks, they'll suffer that ok if they're still small, can't move the parsnips successfully as they have a tap root. I eat them when I need to, whatever size, if you don't get frosts there's no choice anyway!
Little word of caution when working around parsnip folliage. Some people can suffer an allergic reaction and come out in a rash that can be quite nasty. I seem to be OK luckily.
Jerry
If you drink lots of pop or have access to pop bottles or failing that lengths of rainwater fall pipe or similar you can cut the top & bottoms off the pop bottles and use them as sleeves around the leeks.
If you use fall pipe you will also benefit from longer blanching on your leeks.
But next year keep them well apart ::)
Yes - I am one of those peeps who gets terribly burnt from parsnip foliage, have already had a minor brush resulting in blisters this year.
You could run a string down either side of the foliage to hold it up - I did last year as they squished my carrots!
Like Jen, I pull 'snips and leeks as I need them, but not normally before November time.
I should be so lucky! I only got about ten plants from sowing four rows!
>:(
Thanks everyone or your input.
Luckily, I haven't noticed any reaction from the parsnip leaves, but then I wear always wear pants. I've been removing leaves that were infected with a type of leaf miner and didn't get any rash so I guess I'm not allergic. The plants look very healthy and don't seem to mind being tied up with string :).
I have several empty pop bottles that I will use to 'collar' the row of leeks closest to the parsnips and yes - Tee Gee, I will take note of the size of the veggies I grow so that they have a bit more room next year. My problem is I have to cram them together in order to be able to grow the all varieties I want in the small space I have ::).
Tricia
Quotebut then I wear always wear pants
Ooh err :o
;D ;D ;D, sorry about that Merry Tiller - I lived in Canada for a while and I often use non-English ways of expressing myself. I mean, of course, trousers :P.
Tricia
I guessed as much ;)
Tricia......it's not just your legs that could get 'burned & blistered' by the foliage...it's your arms.......maybe E-J Emma Jane, you should post a picture to show newbies & remind others just how terrible your poor arms were :o
Here is a link back to the original posting with my photos....
http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/joomla/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,57/topic,13189.0
Nasty pics!
And how are you with mosquitoes?
Not to bad delboy, altho they do fancy me! :-\ Thankfully I have never reacted like poor trish with her buggy bites!