[Russell Atterbury]

To anyone who might have a clue on the subject of the parsnip i left in the ground, with temperatures here going down to minus 25 a couple of times. I did cover most of the row with carpet so i could keep harvesting them and now i am down to maybe 8 left in. At least 2 of these were not covered being at the end of the row and past the reach of carpet. These were the ones i thought to keep as seed plants. My question is; if anyone can tell me if this cold is too much for a seed plant.....maybe i'd be better to keep 2 plants that were covered by the carpet?

[Nobbie]

I would think they would lose their ability to produce seed before they lost their eating qualities, so would eat them and save the others. If they’re inedible they almost certainly wouldn’t have produced seed.

[Russell Atterbury]

Thanks Nobbie. I think what you suggest makes sense. I just hope that the ones i covered will not have been damaged as such for seed production. The ground underneath was never frozen, so i have to admit that the carpet did a mind blowing protection job.

[Russell Atterbury]

To anyone who could be mildly interested on the outcome of this old post. The parsnip that got frozen down to minus 25 c have shot up and produced an impressive cast of seed heads Tough guys they are.