Are my parsnips any good

[tweacle]

Hi there

I have some parsnips and the foilage on the top is approx 18 inches high but the parsnip its self about 3-4 inches. I started them off in toilet rolls and transplated them. Are they any good or should I get rid of them.

I had sown some from seed and they coming on ok.


Can anyone help.


Thanks

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Tweacle, when did you sow the seeds because parsnips are very slow to grow and need a very long growing season of at least 36 weeks before you start to harvest them. They are fine just left in the ground over the winter and are supposed to taste sweeter after a frost.

[tweacle]

Thanks

I understand they need a long season its just there all green and no actual parsnip. Didnt know if they were putting their effort into green instead of that. I started them off in toilet rolls and didnt know if they transplated well.

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Tweacle, the recommended way to grow parsnips is to sow the seed direct, which is what I always do, but people do start the seeds off in t.rolls and they do have success. Parsnip foliage grows extremely large so I wouldn't worry about that but, I have never pulled a parsnip up mid season so I don't know what size the root might be. I would leave them alone and just let them grow until the autumn. Then enjoy!