[RobB]

Hi All,

Most of last years parsnips (tender & true) are still in the ground. I was down at my plot today and I noticed that some of them have started to show new growth. What is the thing to do now (I'm not planning to grow any on for seed)? Should I get the rest out and fill the freezer with parsnip soup or will they be OK in the ground for a bit longer?

Cheers

Rob

[DD.]

They'll be OK for a short time, but you're correct in assuming they're saying "Eat Me".

Welcome to the forums, by the way.

[DavidT]

Rob, next month you`ll be wanting that ground for something else. Get the `snips out and turn it over ready.

[sunshineband]

Hi Rob and welcome to the forum. I think the position with your parsnips is clear 

Would you mind adding your whereabouts into your profile please, so that other members take this into account when answering any other queries.

Thank you 

[Salmo]

Your parsnips will produce a few leaves now. They will be OK until the growth accelerates and they start to shoot upwards to form a flower stalk.

The plants will use their sugar to produce this growth and they will become tastless and woody.

[MOLUSC]

Dig em up ,peel and freeze them.

[whippersnapper]

Dig em up ,peel and freeze them.

I'm in a similar position myself - loads still in the ground.

Is it best to blanch/parboil first, before freezing? Sure I've heard of something like this being done with other stuff...

[fatbelly]

This year I have only been able to eat about 20% of the snips on my plot because the very cold weather meant I couldn't get them out of the ground when needed.

One particular Sunday in January when I went down to harvest the ground was so hard it almost bent my fork as i tried to lift them!!!!

[sunshineband]

Dig em up ,peel and freeze them.

I'm in a similar position myself - loads still in the ground.

Is it best to blanch/parboil first, before freezing? Sure I've heard of something like this being done with other stuff...

I do parboil parsnips first before freezing them, as I prefer them parbioled before roasting    Cooking them from frozen is fine, just allow about 15 mins extra when cooking them 

[whippersnapper]

Thanks for this sunshine!

I'll be digging mine up next weekend then. 

[RobB]

Indeed - thanks to all for this sage advice. I had hoped to be on the plot on Sunday to get the bed cleared and then it decided to get miserable again...

Cheers

Rob