When to harvest parsnips

**TEB** · 28-07-2009, 11:27 AM

Yes a frost will make the parsnip sweeter but you may be waiting for a few more months for that to happen in Kent, I would probably pull one now if they seem large enough - purely as a taste test

**Pumpkin Becki** · 28-07-2009, 11:31 AM

It wouldn't hurt to pull a few now for eating, it will actually make a bit more space for those left behind, so will encourage them to grow further still, but generally yes, parsnips are considered an autumn/winter crop, and a touch of frost certainly makes them sweeter. I actually left mine in the ground all winter instead of digging them up and having to store them somewhere. I was still pulling edible one up in May just as i was sewing this years lot.

**Nicos** · 28-07-2009, 11:39 AM

I too recall reading about parsnips and sprouts are sweeter after a good frost...but you know- I've wondered about this before- with all the new varieties around these days whether that only really applied to the older varieties????

Would be good if you could do a taste test w33blegurl...(and anyone else out there with parsnips)

Can you imagine leaving them until the first frosts only to find that they've gone too big and woody

**Emma R** · 28-07-2009, 11:56 AM

I lifted some parsnips two weeks ago to give the others some space. They were slightly small but tasted lovely roasted.

**w33blegurl** · 28-07-2009, 12:11 PM

Thanks for that.....will give them a try on Sunday with a lovely roast chicken and let you know how they taste!!

**Wren** · 28-07-2009, 09:22 PM

Why not pull a few an pop them in the freezer for half an hour before you cook them. Same effect .

Wren

**rustylady** · 28-07-2009, 09:33 PM

If you really want them frosted, why not pull them and put them either in the fridge or the freezer for a little while

**solway cropper** · 28-07-2009, 09:56 PM

We had roast parsnips with our chicken last night. I just couldn't resist pulling a few because the foliage looked so big and healthy. They could probably do with a few months longer in the soil but who cares. Looked at some in Tesco's today and thought 'I bet they don't taste as good as mine'

**toastie** · 29-07-2009, 07:34 PM

Sprouts and parsnips are better after a frost as it makes then sweeter - don't think putting them in the fridge would be the same. As ours are nowhere near ready yet, my partner bought two from Morrisons last week to put into a stew (can't believe the weather has been so bad that we are having stew in July). However, I digress, we used one of the bought ones in the stew and the other was put in the vegetable rack - within two days it was already soft and ended up in the recyling bin - who knows how long the supermarket had them. Will definately wait until my own fruit/veg is ready to be eaten/stored.

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When to harvest parsnips

When to harvest parsnips

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