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Harvesting Parsnips

Hi everyone, I need some advice. I have a row of parsnips in my raised bed which have grown really well, almost too well, I think. The foliage is at least 50cm high and as it was beginning to topple over, I chopped off a third. What I don't know is, when do I start harvesting them, do I wait until the foliage dies down first?

Thanks for your help.image

Posts

  • I harvest them as needed - leave them in the ground to get frosted, they'll be much sweeter. image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • SwissSueSwissSue Posts: 1,447

    OK, will do, thanks Dove!image Just hope they are not all foliage and no roots!

  • I wouldn't start harvesting until after the first frost - remember that the fat root is the parsnip's store of energy to get it through the winter so it can grow and flower next year.  It should be reabsorbing nutrients from those leaves at this time of year. image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307

    And they increase the size of the root as the leaves die down. The leaves on ours often reach a metre in height.

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