My parsnips have started growing again!

[Smithagain]

We have about 20 parsnips still in the ground, which I was going to leave in situ and harvest them when we need them. But when the weather was warmer just before Christmas, I noticed that they have started to sprout new leaves.

Now the frost has come, I guess they've stopped again. But if they do start growing, does it affect the flavour? Do I need to dig them all up and store them? I'd rather not, because we are running out of storage space, but we do like our parsnips, so don't want to lose them!

bump

Any parsnip experts out there?!

I'm not an expert, but I do grow them. mine have died away at the top and no new growth. I shall dig mine up as I need them and I would do the same with yours - I don't think you'll lose them, but it may affect the flavour a little (not sure). Or you could try and lift half and store and dig the others up as needed and see if there's any difference.

Parsnips taste better when they've been 'frosted'. Most gardeners lift them after the first frost. The experts put them in a 'clamp' I just tend to dig as I need or blanch and freeze.

Thanks! No problem with the frosting - they've had plenty of that now! In fact, the hard frost over the last few days seems to have killed off the leaves properly now, so I think I'll leave them in the ground and see what happens.

Our shed is very small and already overrun with cooking apples, so the ground is by far the easiest place to store them!

Now I just need to start planning next year's veg. Can feel a warm living room and a seed catalogue beckoning!