Kelly's Parsnips 'Countess'
Pastinaca sativa

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  Nax wrote:

  I was looking for info on parsnips, and when I googled it, your Folia page came up. So I’m wondering— how are your parsnips? I’m looking for something I can put in the ground now, but that will be harvested just before hard freeze, probably early November. Any insight on them? (Chicago’s zone 5)

  Posted on 13 Aug 08 (about 4 months ago)

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  Kelly wrote:

  My parsnips are doing well – the ones that made it through the first succession of planting are growing strong and are quite big (well, the leaves are anyway, I can’t see the roots!).

  It’s my first year with parsnips so I’m not an expert by any means – but I think if you planted some right now they definitely wouldn’t be ready before the first hard freeze. My parsnips that are coming up after my second planting of them (due to a very poor germination rate – I blame the cold weather) are still pretty small.

  Also, parsnips are best picked after the first hard freeze, and apparently even better if you leave them in all winter and pick in spring. The cold converts the starch in them to sugar making them taste better. Although I’m not sure how much actual growing they do through winter.

  Hope that helps a little bit!

  Posted on 13 Aug 08 (about 4 months ago)

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