Parsnips

[ChrisMath88]

When do you pull up parsnips? I've read that you are better leaving them in until a frost hits as that's when the sweet flavour comes through. Some of mine are massive now! I can't imagine the size they'll be come the first frost!


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[marchogaeth]

I've read that you are better leaving them in until a frost hits as that's when the sweet flavour comes through.

Yes, this does get said a lot. However, I just pull mine up when I need the bed. I also grow some in my polytunnel for babyish veg. I don't think they taste very if any different after a frost but then I haven't had any really good frosts since I started gardening about 3 years ago. Why not did one up and try it. If it's disappointing leave them until after the frosts. As regards size, if you stop watering and feeding they won't grow a whole lot bigger IMO. Good luck.

[BUFFS]

they also say that you must have fresh seed but last year I bought an extra packet as I forgot I already had some, I used this old packet this year in the new raised bed and got over 90% germination and it looks like I will have some of a good size for the village show this year, I was hoping for 30-40% but you can never tell

[marchogaeth]

I reckon you can get 2 years out of a seed packet, too, if you store the seed fairly sensibly.

[Bill HH]

When do you pull up parsnips? I've read that you are better leaving them in until a frost hits as that's when the sweet flavour comes through. Some of mine are massive now! I can't imagine the size they'll be come the first frost!


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You pull them up whenever you want a parsnip, they do belong to you after all. Gardening is riddled with myths some of which have real practical value based on experience of generations of gardeners and some have just perpetuated because nobody challenges them. I have eaten parsnips well before frost and can tell no difference whatsoever in the flavour. Furthermore if they do happen to improve with frost, so what, if you want parsnips now then why wait.

[Vince G]

Agree Bill, the frost thing doesn't seem to make any difference. Does anyone know any science behind this?

I find the longer you leave them in the ground, the more the flavour improves. We had very few frosts last year in my neck of the woods but the flavour was better in December than October, and the roots bigger. Due to this, even though my bigger parsnips are nearly 2" across the top of the root now, I'm not touching them until late autumn at the very earliest, I always think of parsnips as a winter veg anyway. Everything has its season....

[ChrisMath88]

Great advice thanks, I think I'll sample some shortly!


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