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I just lifted my parsnips and i have found brown "rust spots"on them can anyone let me know what this is? Do i have to bin them or can i just cut it off.

It's canker, and you just cut it off.

Thanks for your reply, does this come from the soil, or is it something im doing wrong whilst growing them? Theres a pic in my gallery but im not sure how to post it

I have bits I cut off every year but they are not as bad as the one in your piccie, but you just have to cut a bit more off, no problem.    :)

I rarely pull a parsnip that is fully canker free.   ::)           Taste fine all the same.

It's not something you do; we all get it. Apparently it's a fungus, and it's made worse by poor darinage, which is a problem I have for much of the year. There are resistant varieties.

http://www.which.co.uk/documents/pdf/parsnip-canker-153659.pdf

I always thought growing parsnips was a doddle ;) never had any probs. Yesterday I dug up half a dozen cankered rubbish from the edge of the plot which had been covered by the peas. I cut out the brown bits, binned the worst and now I next year I shall give them a bit more loving care and attention. Suspect they got hosed this year which they normally don't. So they'll stay dry next year....... and given a good dose of bonemeal like the carrots which are the best ever ::)

Hi Folks
Thanks for all the replies, the plot the parsnips were in is on a slope, however i had been using the hose on the gardens a lot this year. So next year i think i will hold back on the watering and i will try the bonemeal.