[kermit]

My first year doing parsnips.  They have been going great guns - decent foliage etc.  Was pleasantly surprised as they're in quite a shady spot. 

I was having a rummage and decided to pull one under the guise of thinning - in actual fact, I was just being impatient    Anyhow, it was really long - about a foot, but very thin and spindly.  Should I be worried, or will they continue to bulk up?  I was wondering if i should be watering / feeding to help them along?

They are in a raised bed that was lightly manured over winter and given an occasional water, but not much, and no additional feed.

Cheers.

[peapod]

Parsnips need a long growing season and will still be bulking up so dont worry.  Mine also look very well on with great foliage, but tiny snips so far.  Its also recommended that you pick them after a decent frost as it makes them much sweeter. It does depend when you planted the seed though?

Dont feed them or water them unless its a particularly dry spell

Patience oh hungry one  

[SG6]

Planted some and have been watching. Packet say harvest Oct/Nov/Dec so I guess I have 2 months at least to wait.

[Jay The Digger]

Mine are about the size of small carrots across the shoulders at the moment.  Last year they didn't start to really put on any girth until early October.

My advice would be to leave them until mid-late November as a few frosts really do transform them.

You have done the hard bit by getting them germinated and growing.  I know it's tough, but try to be patient.  It will be well worth it.  You get more parsnip, and it's better tasting.

[ex-cavator]

I pulled a couple of mine a month or so back and they were disapointingly small and spindly, given the luxurious top growth. But I pulled a couple more yesterday and they were absolutely GI-NORMOUS  :blink: I assumed the recent rain had brought them on 

[DD.]

LEAVE THEM ALONE!

It's too early !!!

[ex-cavator]

LEAVE THEM ALONE!

It's too early !!!

Please forgive me, DD, I can't help it. I'm a newbie. And it's so exciting to see (and taste) stuff I've grown for the very first time 

[kermit]

Getting the impression I should wait 

That was always my plan, I just wanted to make sure they were going to be ok.  Didnt want to wait until Nov / Dec only to find some poor specimens.  If they turn out that way, I'll hold you all to account!

cheers

[aelf]

This is the first year I have had any real success with 'snips, and it is because I sowed the seeds in Richy's paper pots in the greenhouse in Feb. Got 90% germination and planted them out in April.

Can't wait 

[arugula]

First year here too. Loads of foliage so fingers crossed and not even a single firkle under the soil yet!

[Kristen]

Wait for the first frost. The ONLY thing you need to do, right now, is pray for an early frost.  Simples!