Top season for parsnips
Think I may have left the parsnips a tad too long…
Given good soil and good conditions, parsnips grow to monster sizes. Some folks say they get woody and unpleasant to eat when they’re huge, but to be honest I’ve never noticed. Provided you cut out the core before cooking them, they’re fine.
And actually, this year’s crop has been my best ever. I’ve had two 15ft rows of huge, straight, tapering roots. Delicious, too, because all these frosts have sweetened them marvellously. This is Tender and True, my favourite variety.
How were your parsnips this season?
Great parsnip! I grew tender & true this year and the ones I pulled up a couple of weeks ago were superb. Growing Dobies Exhibition this year. You can’t beat fresh roast parsnips for flavour.
March 9th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
Well, I cannot complain either, it has been my first time with parsnips and I think it has been one of my best crops this year. I was so proud that could not resist making them a picture (see it at http://aladierno.blogspot.com/2010/01/cosecha-de-invierno.html)
March 9th, 2010 at 9:33 pm
Tender and True has never failed to produce the goods (although the tough core can get rather large). As a result I’ve never tried an other variety – until this year as I have saved my own T&T seed but bought some “Hollow Crown” as an insurance if my saved seed turns out not to be viable. As parsnip seed only lasts for one year I always end up giving or throwing away half the seed packet contents. This year it will be two half packets. If the seed saving does work I’ve scuppered next year as I’ve dug up the last of them in my eagerness to maintain a rigid digging/manuring regime. Not wanting to prejudge but I do have a sneaking suspicion that I’ll be buying Tender and True next year again.
March 9th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
Huge and sweet but not as straight as yours.Mine looked more like octopus than parsnips :0)
March 10th, 2010 at 1:43 am
My parsnips were ace this year. I had “F1 Albion” (seeds from UK but grown in Germany). Sadly I had to dig them all up last November, but I stored them in a bucket full of sand in the car port, and they have survived the harsh winter just fine. They sweetened up with the frost, just as they do in the ground. Actually, as you force me to mention it, I did win a small trophy for “best root vegetables” last year with my parsnips and carrots (F1 Bantry). Hence the little icon.
March 10th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
My parsnips looked more like oods (Dr Who), but they were very tasty. This year I’ve got a packet of Tender and True to try, so I’m glad you’ve given the variety the thumbs up.
March 10th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Well I did force you to mention it, Simon, so it’s OK…
March 11th, 2010 at 8:34 am
My parsnips tend to get little worms that completely gross me out. I know that’s pretty lame to say as a gardener – but when you’re about to take a bite out of something and something is looking up at you, it’s just plain weird.
March 12th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
All these funny rooted parsnips make me wonder whether anybody is planting parsnips in cells and then planting them out?
As for worms – that’s normally carrot territory. It’s caterpillas in broccoli that grosses me out (or the kids when I didn’t notice them)
Say Dee, is that you with the flickr account & Arran Victory?
Hi
Mal
March 13th, 2010 at 8:59 pm
I never had any parsnips come last year….I’m hoping to at least get a few this year…I guess only time will tell!!! I’m extremely jealous of your parsnips!!
March 13th, 2010 at 9:50 pm