This year I grew parsnips for the first time (tender and true). They were off to a flying start
(nice n early), the foliage was tall and lush and I was looking forward to a bumper harvest.
Although most have grown pretty big, the majority seem to have rotted around the top of the root :'( and have turned into a real dissappointment. Could it be that they grew too well ?? or does it sound like a disease. (rich deep soil in E.Yorkshire)
Are they brownish-red where they're rotting? If so, I've had it every year I've grown them. I just cut away the rotten tissue, which has never amounted to very much.
Mmm more brown and squidgy than red, although some seem to have rotted away completely in the soil.
Oh and a couple have thrown up tall flowering stems (gone to seed), most have foliage that has kind of withered away (like the plant has decided it has done its job, which I suppose it has in producing a root)
If they're bolting, throw them away and don't save seed from them. It's probably the dry summer which set that off.
I'm no expert, but that sounds like parsnip canker.
Thanks folks,
Canker looks to fit the bill, dry weather in April, over rich soil and "tender & true" not being resistant.
Oh well, lesson learnt, I'll try again next year with a different variety in a less rich bit of the plot.