Talkback: Parsnips
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I had parsnip yesterday so Im not sure how you work out that it arrived at just after half past three.
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Gardeners' World Web User
Posts: 17,147
Gardeners' World Web User
Posts: 17,147
Posts
I do still have my sprouts to pick, very noble indeed ;-)
Happy Christmas to you too and best wishes to all.
I am most impressed by your freshly-harvested parsnips: infinitely straighter than mine which are generally broad of shoulder and multiple of roots.
The only thing I don't like about parsnips is that they have such big cores: I've taken to harvesting them while still relatively small and storing them so they don't develop the big woody tough middles.
Parsnip flowers are very very beautiful and the seeds extremely easy to save: it's also worth saying that to get parsnip seed to germinate well, sow fresh every year as they don't stay viable for long.
Parsnipa are also great for entering into rude vegetable competitions. And do try salsify, scorzonera and skirret - similar plants with smaller, more wizened roots, but perennial therefore less effort, and very very tasty.
Brian
I have been growing Parsnips for 15 years but this year have had a poor show. I have heavy soil in the south east and they turned out very woody. The variety was Avonresistor ( which i have grown before with success), Did anyone else have problems growing Parsnips this year?
My parsnips and swedes were both poor this year have a light (sandy soil) so will look to improve this in 2012 any advice would be wecome .