[flimbin]

When should one harvest parsnips? I have left mine in the ground, but the topgrowth of most of them looks as if it's dying. I thought parsnips could be left in all winter. Is this not the case?

[DavidT]

You should have started harvesting about 2 months ago. They can be left in the ground over winter, just don`t expect the foliage to be there.

[suziet88]

I am a newbee and not grown parsnips myself but believe that their flavour improves significantly with cold weather as starches turn to sugars, so frost is actually beneficial.

Good luck!

[DavidT]

You can get around this by putting them in the freezer for a couple of days.

[gillie]

Yes, parsnips do die back in the winter - and can become a bit difficult to find!  They also improve with a few frosts, so just dig them up when you want to eat them.

Cheers,

Gillie

[sunshineband]

Just make sure you remember where they are 

 and hopefully the ground won't be frozen 

[titch]

mine foliage is beginning to die off, so going to mark them with some string so  i know where they are hiding - if i get a chance i will dig them all out and freeze them

[Roll Roll]

I took the top off one of mine last weekend with the rotovator, whoops. :blink:

[sunshineband]

 

Oh dear

[Salmo]

After the tops have died down it can be difficult to find parsnips, especially in snow. A good tip is to mark each end of the row with a stick. When you have finished the days harvest move a stick to where the next parsnip is so you know where to dig next time. If frost or snow is forecast dig a few and heel them in a shallow trench so that they are readily available.

Is placing parsnips in a fridge based on biological science? The worst thing you can do is to lift and store in a warm kitched so that they begin to sprout and use their sugar.

[flimbin]

Thanks. Now I get it.

I'll be able to find them as they are at one end of a raised bed. They are also enormous.

[sunshineband]

No trouble there then