[swaine]

Last year I left some parsnips in the ground until February / March time. When I dug the last ones up they still had a bit of green leaf with them.

This year the leaves seem to have died back a lot earlier and there is some, but not much green leaf on some plants. The rest of the leaf has died back and disappeared. Ive dug up some of the parsnips roots and they look and taste fine....no rot or insects or anything like.

Does the leaf die back differently from year to year? and how long can I leave the roots in the ground if the leaf has died back and disappeared?

Any advice out there?

[Aunt Sally]

They are a biannial plant so will stay in the ground until next year if you want them to.

I dig mine up after they have had a few good frosts to improve their flavour.  I prepare them and blanch and freeze them.  They store well in the freezer - I'm still eating last year's frozen crop.

[swaine]

Thanks Aunt Sally.

So I can leave them in the ground without any leaf until next year............fingers crossed that I can find them without any leaf to aim for!!

[Aunt Sally]

You can but I wouldn't.  You won't be able to dig them up for dinner when the ground freezes.  They will probably get nibbled by hungry mice too 

[Babstreefern]

I remember going down on Christmas Day last year, and having to hunt around for my parsnips, as the snow was pretty thick on the ground.  I knew in the general direction of where they were, but I still had to hunt for them - tasted fantastic though.  Funnily enough, the ground wasn't rock hard

[Salmo]

Each time you finish digging up parsnips put a stick in against the next root in the row and you will be able to find it even in snow.

[Cheshire Phill]

Do parsnips make second growth in the same year?

Have dug quite a few of mine but am also saving some for Christmas, and although the foliage has died back, there seems to be new growth from the middle, some look quite fresh and new, despite being 4-6" in diameter at the crown...hope there is plenty underneath?

I know they grow again if you leave them but mine seem to have had a second spurt in the last month or so. Anyone any ideas?

Phill