[Yorkie]

I've never had slug damage on parsnips, and occasionally mine do get damaged by the fork when trying to get them out.

The problem with watering is that it's really quite hard to get moisture deep down without using lots of it.  However, it's worth a try if your plants really are stuck that hard in the ground.  Try a good long water a few hours before digging up -  that way you'll not be fighting too much really wet mud 

P.S. Forgot to say well done, I remember being thrilled when my first row of snips germinated !

[DD.]

If you over water root veg, they won't make the long tap root as there's no need. All the moisture they need is near the surface.

I had to dig a hole along side that parsnip & pull it out sideways.

[Salmo]

DD - How did you manage to get the JCB between the rows?

[Clover]

If you over water root veg, they won't make the long tap root

That's what I thought DD, which is another reason I don't water so I'm reluctant to do it to pull 'em though I must say, carrots (whoppers too) have been a good deal easier to lift after some rain.

I'll try doing it sideways like you suggest.

[Yorkie]

Of course, by the time the first frosts have happened, I'd probably think that your ground will be less hard (once it's unfrozen that is!)

[DD.]

DD - How did you manage to get the JCB between the rows?

Wide rows!

[Yorkie]

Well, of course, you do have about 3 hectares of lotty to space them out that wide 

[DD.]

Someone mentioned carrots.

[Yorkie]

Haven't you got a field to hoe or something 

You're giving us inferiority complexes (and I'm only small to start with  )

[garddwr]

Someone mentioned carrots.

Hi DD.

You know I like to know which variety so ...

Early Nantes or Autumn king ? Or other ?

Thanks

[DD.]

Autumn King - late sown in June!

[garddwr]

Autumn King - late sown in June!

How do you do it ?  You should see the ones that I sowed in May !! They're like baby carrots.

I followed your advice and didn't thin as well.

Anything special with them DD. ?

Thanks

[Clover]

Someone mentioned carrots.

Actually, I think one or two of mine could have competed with that and they were much fuller at the top  

Do I regret not taking a photo now  

(My maincrop peas were rubbish)

[DD.]

No - same as parsnips, direct into the ground, no thinning with the carrots, unlike the parsnips where I put a pinch of seed every 8".

The late sown ones didn't germinate as well, but because of that they had more space and that's why I think they've done well. I may thin next year, especially now I know that enviromesh has kept 100% of the carrot fly off.

I have a few "soft spots" on the plots where the soil is finer & I rotate the carrots around these.

[CZ Silhouette]

I was going to wait for the frost too - but I read a post here that someone had already eaten one from an early sowing and it tasted of parsnip so couldn't resist a sneak preview.

My Dad got a tip from a couple of old boys at his allotment, after he mentioned about waiting for the frost before he dig any parsnips.

"You don't wanna be waiting for the frost. Dig what you need for your meal & bung it in the freezer over night."