[snow white]

OK, any tips on digging up parsnips without ripping it in half with my fork?  They are a good size and go down into the earth forever.

[sowitgrowit]

I dig around mine with a spade (too many spearing accidents) and free up the top of the parsnip. Then wiggle it a bit and twist, then puuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuull!



Which leaves me with this (same parsnip!):

.

Hooray!

[DD.]

Dig a hole at the side of it and pull it out sideways. Little effort.

[heygrow]

I try and loosen up the soil around the root carefully with a fork and then push a spade down by the side of the parsnip as deep as I can and then lever it up. Depending upon the size this will help cut the tap root at the bottom and help bring it up. Sometimes I do still catch the parsnip with the fork if I'm not careful or if they have been planted too close together.

You will have to get up early tomorrow to get your parsnips in time for Christmas dinner! 

[barley]

Crikey soitgrowit that's a whooper

[Growster...]

All the above, and if you do get any squonky ones, they are probably tastier than the big chaps, as you can easily and quickly cook the tendrils!

[Salmo]

Dig a hole at the side of it and pull it out sideways. Little effort.

I do the same but I then push the spade down at a slight angle to cut the root at about a foot down.

I know it feels good to get a 3 ft root out but the bottom part of the root is of little use in the kitchen.

[snow white]

Thank you.  Easy when you know how.