getting parsnips out of the ground

[Pies]

Whats the best way to get the buggers out,i cant dig to much as the rows are fairly tight,pulling results in sore forearms and clay covered hand slip

I finally managed to get this awkward one out but there must be an easier way

[scarletrunner]

I use deeply inserted crowbar to loosen surrounding soil.

[binley100]

Just wait till the grounds frozen as well .............then you'll have problems

[lottie dolly]

Just wait till the grounds frozen as well .............then you'll have problems

the answer to that one is,be prepared,get some in the freezer,for times of emergency,in what ever size you want to use them for,my feezer is as important as SEEDS are lol

[Snadger]

Grow em in drain pipes. To harvest lay pipe on side, tap the outside to loosen soil and the parsnip pulls out easily!

[Bren In Pots]

Last year I had to pour boiling water on a few of mine to get them out of the frozen soil so for this Christmas I'm getting some in the freezer like lottie dolly suggests.

[AlanP]

I dig both sides of the row, then just in front of the root and even the big ones come out whole

Alan

[stella]

But dont you still have to dig the drainpipe out of the ground Snadger???

[Snadger]

But dont you still have to dig the drainpipe out of the ground Snadger???

Elevated gardening dear girl!

I tie four foot lengths of pipe to fence and fill with a sandy loam.........simples!

[Fruit&2veg]

When i used to do a bit of showing, i always made deep holes with a crowbar, filled them with compost, sowed in these and when needed just washed around them with the hose, compost washes away, root just lifted out complete with undamaged tap root- perfect shape, clean and easy!
Works well for long show carrots too, like St Valery etc.

[jackyspratty]

This time of year I mulch between the rows with straw as it hepls keep the ground from getting too frozen, except in last years conditions of course! I am liking the drainpipe idea!

[Nik]

Don't twist. I was straining at a particulalry intransigent snip yesterday that I had my eye on for a winter stew, I thought I'd give it a twist but it snapped, leaving a big chunk in the ground.

[JamesM]

I had probs with mine earlier so i'm glad i came across this now and not in a fornight's time!