Stumpier Parsnips

[tamsin]

I've grown parsnips a couple of times, usually just enough for Christmas dinner. The trouble is they seem really long (about 18") but stay skinny or just have a bulge at the top which means there is only a few inches wide enough to roast. Is that down to variety or just if they were bigger overall it would even out. I'm growing in tubs, if I use a shallower tub will they hit the bottom and fatten up instead of growing long?

[roitelet]

Search for a variety of short rooted parsnips. Don't try to grow them in shallower tubs the roots will only hit the pottom and then wind themselves round each other.