24-09-2012, 02:07 PM
posted to uk.rec.gardening
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First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,775
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When to harvest parsnips?
Jim S wrote in
2:
David Hill wrote in news:ab0fskFfg6jU1
@mid.individual.net:
On 07/09/2012 23:32, Sue wrote:
Jim S" wrote
JakeD wrote in
Hello!
I'd appreciate some advice on parsnip harvesting. I planted a good
number of them in the Spring. Now they are almost three ft tall,
with
bright green healthy leaves. When should I start digging them up?
I'm
in the Southwest of England, in case that makes a difference... I
read
somewhere that it's best not to wait until after a couple of frosts
have occurred in the autumn. Is that good advice?
Thanks,
J
NEVER, NEVER until they have had frost on them.
They always do taste better after they've had a couple of frosts on
them. We normally leave ours in the ground and dig a couple up
whenever
we want to use them. Unless it was likely to freeze really hard for a
long time I don't think they'd come to much harm.
If you have plenty then do your own test, try some before frosting and
the rest after.
Peoples tastes vary, but I always prefer them frosted, to the extent
that I will sometimes put shop bought parsnips out if we are due a
frosty night.
I wonder whether a spell in the deep-freezemight work?
I believe it's something to do with sugar content, but perhaps they
should still be 'living' for it to happen.
Try here http://www.selfsufficientish.com/parsnip.htm
You will be our guide.
Baz
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