Allotments 4 All

Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Rhys on November 04, 2006, 20:36:21

Title: First Parsnip
Post by: Rhys on November 04, 2006, 20:36:21
I pulled my first parsnip of the season today after 2 nights of frost and got this beauty - 36cm long ;)

I roasted it this evening and it was very sweet.

(http://burgundy-breaks.tripod.com/parsnip.JPG)
Title: Re: First Parsnip
Post by: cambourne7 on November 04, 2006, 20:42:06
nice :-)

i cant wait till next year when i am going to get som parsnips in the ground!
Title: Re: First Parsnip
Post by: manicscousers on November 04, 2006, 20:46:28
wierd year, planted 3 times, 2 different types of parsnip, first got too cold 'n wet, then went very cold again, only thing I can think, can I put them in rootrainers or peat pots ?
Title: Re: First Parsnip
Post by: teresa on November 04, 2006, 20:55:25
Well brother in law sows 3-4 seeds per loo roll as soon as they start to grow plants them in lottie. I did a row and marked them with lettuce on top they do take a while to get going. I got 5 plants so they are like gold dust. Will grow like BIL next year.
Title: Re: First Parsnip
Post by: cambourne7 on November 04, 2006, 21:18:32
yes growing in loo roll always works for me... i have started peas, beans, courgettes, squash.

I have some little 2inch pots and i fit the toilet tube into it half way up the pot for stability.

I had started carrots, parsnips, herbs and some other stuff a while ago but the shelf in the greenhouse was attached by a cat chasing another cat  they both kind of skidded into it and i had left the flap up because it was so warm so that lot was scrapped and never got around to trying again  :-[
Title: Re: First Parsnip
Post by: Roy Bham UK on November 04, 2006, 21:28:04
I have a bed full of lovely parsnips and have noticed that the foliage has collapsed ??? is this normal or do you think some wild life has used it as a king sized bed ??? ;D
Lovely parsnip BTW Rhys ;)
Title: Re: First Parsnip
Post by: Meg on November 04, 2006, 22:35:53
Well manic think there was something in the air this year. Every other year have ahd no bother with my parsnips but after all the above problems am the sole owner of 7 parsnips!!!! Am thinking I might as well pull them now and then I can dig the plot over.
Title: Re: First Parsnip
Post by: OllieC on November 05, 2006, 07:28:37
Same here Roy - just since the first frost this week... They look like someone's trampled them. I pulled a few & the roots are very healthy...
Title: Re: First Parsnip
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on November 05, 2006, 08:54:37
The foliage always goes flop at the first frost. The root begins to turn starch into sugar at that point, which is why the taste improves.
Title: Re: First Parsnip
Post by: saddad on November 05, 2006, 11:09:47
I only got half a dozen from four rows!.... so I'll leave mine a bit longer...
::)
Title: Re: First Parsnip
Post by: ollietheonion on November 05, 2006, 11:35:59
My first years results, from one packet, just 4 Parsnips. A month later, I put in a different variety, and 30+.
Title: Re: First Parsnip
Post by: Rosyred on November 05, 2006, 13:36:23
Not sure yet how mine are under the ground but it took two attempts to get any coming up so fingers crossed :)
Title: Re: First Parsnip
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on November 05, 2006, 14:14:36
I had pathetic germination in the cold spring this year; next year I'll probably fleece them just in case.
Title: Re: First Parsnip
Post by: tricia on November 05, 2006, 16:30:47
Mine did quite well, germinated in loo rolls before planting them out. I've pulled three so far - huge beasts, but very floury and bland. If I have to wait for a frost sufficient to sweeten them up, they'll never get eaten. :) Here in the south-west we rarely get temperatures lower than 1 or 2 below zero. Barely enough to have to scrape windscreens ::)

I wonder - would it help to freeze a few for a couple of days ??? ???

Tricia