Two years ago I grew beautiful parsnips. But last year, and again today, when I went out to dig my beautiful parsnips I found large tops with no bottoms. The attached pictures tell the story. What am I doing wrong? They grow in full sun. I do not use fertilizers. They are well watered.
Are you planting them in the same area as yr first crop??? OR are they planted in soil that is not dug deep so they produce a lot of forked roots./ an extract from http://www.soilandhealth.org/01aglibrary/010137veg.roots/010137ch24.html "Root Habit in Relation to Cultural Practice.--A study of the slow germination and growth of the parsnip, together with its early development of delicate rootlets, makes clear why a deep, rich, open soil is best. It will not bake and form a crust over the seeds or about the seedlings. Branched, crooked, and misshapen roots, common to shallow and lumpy soils, will not be formed under such conditions. Early, shallow cultivation to prevent weed growth and possibly to conserve moisture is desirable. Later the vigorously developing roots, extending widely through the surface soil and deeply into its moist layers, are able more successfully to make the best of their surroundings and even to compete with weeds. By growing plants thickly, i.e., 4 to 8 inches apart in rows 14 to 18 inches distant, sufficient space is insured and enough competition afforded to develop roots of desirable size" http://doit101.com/Gardening/parsnips.html Liz
The soil is dug to at least 12" each spring. And by now, after 25 years of tossing all rocks in a pile as I encounter them, there is no rock of diameter in excess of .2" in the whole garden
Good question! This picture depicts my parsnips of the 2006 season. http://xrl.us/rzba This crop was seeded directly into the outdoor garden. They crop was perfect. This year 2007 I planted so called " Hamburg Root Parsley" seedlings from a supplier. The product looked just like yours. I attributed the mis-shapen roots to the planting of seedlings, and possibly there were more than one plant clinging together, even though I thought I had planted only one seedling. I was most annoyed. A persons who grows the Hamburg Root Parsley informed me the roots should be the same as quality parsnips. So, I was waiting for next year 2008, and am going to plant both Parnips and Hamburg Root Parsley from seed to see if I get the perfect roots of 2006. Granted you planted parsnips and mine was root parsley, but the taste appears the same to me. I have had only a single years experience growing root parsley and parsnips, so haven't really determined the difference. Apparently the Hamburg Root Parsley is used in soups both the top and the root to add flavour. Of course, with parsnips only the root is utilized. The soil and area was perfect in both situations. Maybe the riddle with be partially cleared up in 2008.
A mystery, soccerdad! I have also grown both types of parsnip (nice ones, and mis-shapen ones) in different years. Could be just weather conditions in the early going, or something else in the root zone. Definitely, the roots are forking at a certain length/depth, for whatever reason. Are you using the same variety all 3 years? I have had better luck with Andover than Hollow Crown, the latter tending to produce more of a bulb at the top with a long narrow "tail" that is less useful than the former's carrot like shape. Also, check for or be aware of rust fly. If these attack the little plants during their early population spike around June, they might be damaging the taproot resulting in a subsequent forking like your pics. Populations of the fly vary depending on your neighbour's gardening practices...carrots and their kin left in the ground will ensure lots of procreating flies the following spring. I find rowcovers essential here to avoid useless wormy carrots, and the parnsips (and celery) are similarly attacked tho it's not as obvious to the eye.
