[Smudgeboy]

Art'noon all. I chucked a few parsnip seeds in the ground this year and I've got some good, healthy-looking plants as a result.

I just dug up one to check progress and it's perfect, which is a real joy.

Now . . . what should I do with the rest?

I was of the understanding that it's probably too early to dig them as a couple of frosts help the flavour, but the plants themselves are starting to die back and look a bit 'manky'. Is it OK to leave them in the ground even if the plants are dying back?

Thanks.

[DD.]

Leave them. This is what parsnips do.

The flavour will be much better after some frost, believe me.

[Smudgeboy]

I believe you DD - thanks buddy.

[MOLUSC]

I was going to leave mine alone for the frosts to sweeten them up but couldnt help myself...the one that  i ate tasted great (sweet and slightly nutty)
but the rest are staying for the frosts in  non the less....cant wait

[Salmo]

Leave them in the ground until you need them.

The leaves will eventually die back and it can be difficult to locate the roots. It is a good idea to mark the row with a stick at each end. I also put a marker a the point that I finish digging so that I know where to expect to find the next root.

[Glosterboy]

The name comes from the French pastinaca and the ‘nip’ added to indicate its resemblance to the turnip.
• Rather than destroy the plant a parsnip improves with a frost as this turns a lot of the starch into sugar.
• Much of the flavour compounds of the parsnip are to be found under the skin, this is why many recipes call for parsnips to remain unpealed.
• The roots of wild parsnip are said to aid bowel movement and urine discharge.

Just a few facts regarding parsnips. Including the reason for waiting for a frost or two before lifting.

[Aunt Sally]

Parsnips are a biannual plant - they flower in their second year - so it is in their nature to stay in the ground over winter ready for their flowering season next year 

[hamstergbert]

In a much earlier post someone on the site suggested that prior to the first real frosts, it could be worth lifting a few 'snips and stashing them in the freezer for a while to achieve the appropriate effect.  Anyone tried it and if so, did it work?

[madcat]

I wanted some roast parsnip to go with some lamb last night and so lifted the first one of the season.  17" dead straight with no damage (other than the results of lifting - I didnt expect it to be that long!)   Am I chuffed!!!!         Tasted good too, so should be spendiferous after a frost.

[Jonajo]

i dug a couple yesterday - a bit "rusty" at the top/thick end but once i trimmed that back and peeled they were fine. So after a frost I bet they will be even better

[JayG]

..........just don't be tempted to leave a few in the ground as a special spring treat; once they start to sprout again the root starts to shrivel (Yup, personal experience again!) 

[DD.]

i dug a couple yesterday - a bit "rusty" at the top/thick end but once i trimmed that back and peeled they were fine. So after a frost I bet they will be even better

That "rust" could be result of carrot fly larvae activity. The wounds can let diseases such as canker in, which is more noticable than the damage itself.

[fatbelly]

Last year was my first for growing Parsnips.
I ate most in the Autumn not knowing about the frost makes them better thing.
The pre frost Parsnips were nice, but the post frost Snips were delicious so much sweeter.

This year I am leaving them in the ground until Jack Frost makes an appearance.