Thursday 9 January 2014

Abandoned Veggies

When we took on our new allotment, it had just about all been cleared. I mentioned previously that lots of soft fruit bushes and canes have been left behind, but nearly all the veg which had been growing had been lifted so that the majority of the plot is now bare. There's one exception, parsnips. They don't look much more than weeds at this time of year, but it's what's underground that matters.


The previous plot owners have left absolutely loads of parsnips behind. If I'd been them I'd have been tempted to lift them and take them with me. In fact, that's what we did on our old plot. Parsnips were the only things we had growing, so we didn't want to leave them behind. Delicious they were too. On our new plot, there's two full rows left, and we've already dug up and used an extra half row.


They've grown really well so it's a shame that the old plot holders aren't reaping the rewards of their hard work, but I'm not complaining, this lot should keep us going for quite some time. I keep lifting more than I need for one meal so that I can par boil them and freeze them for use later, otherwise they'll end up going woody before we get round to using them all.


As you can see from the photos, they're a great size. At least I know that parsnips should grow well on the plot for me.

28 comments:

  1. What a nice surprise find to come across! You will be set for parsnips for quite a while now. Hope you are enjoying the new plot. xx

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    1. Parsnips are one of my favourite vegetables so I was thrilled to find some growing in my new plot. I'm hoping to get all the surplus ones frozen before they go to waste.

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  2. I wouldn't have left them either! Still their loss is your gain!

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    1. That's true. I'm so pleased that I've got something to harvest, even if it's not much at the moment.

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  3. I am thinking spicy parsnip soup!! Yum! What a fantastic January bonus x

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    1. I've never tried spicy parsnip soup, I think I might just give that a go, afterall, I've got enough parsnips to spare.

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  4. What a nice bonus. I love Parsnips and can never afford the space to grow as many as I would like.

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    1. Parsnips are mine and Eleanor's favourites, we could eat platefuls. I think this lot should last us quite a while though.

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  5. They look good. I've never grown them as a plot neighbour grows lots and always gives me plenty. I must give them a try just to see how I do. Flighty xx

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    1. I've never found them the easiest things to grow, but this lot shows that it can be done on my plot so I'll be giving it a go again this year.

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  6. It must make a pleasant change Jo just to harvest a crop where there's been no blood, sweat or tears involved on your part. Enjoy :)

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    1. It is. I'll be back to agonising how to get my parsnips to germinate again this year though, I'm sure.

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  7. Last comment was from me Jo - had not signed out from allotment website!

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    1. I know. They've grown really well. I feel quite guilty that I'm eating things which other people have grown.

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  9. Good looking parsnips one of my favourites!

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    1. They're great. Better than anything I've ever grown, though I did do better than usual this year, it's just a shame that I had to dig them all up before they'd had chance to grow a little more.

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  10. Wonderful, lucky you! I love parsnips, and I really must try and grow some next year. I'd like to have some on the plate on Christmas Day. I've heard they're tricky to germinate though.

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    1. I've had problems with germination in the past and I know many other people who have too, though some people seem to have no trouble at all. We had home grown parsnips on our plate on Christmas day, though they were from our new plot so they'd been grown by someone else.

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  11. Brilliant idea to take a few extra for the freezer each time; if you're digging and parboiling, it makes sense! Must feel a bit like winning the lottery and is probably fate's way of rewarding you for a kindness you've done elsewhere! Enjoy your bounty!

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    1. It's easier to do a few for the freezer at a time rather than a whole bag full. I hope to be well stocked by the end of February. I was thrilled to bits when I knew there were so many parsnips left behind on the plot, though I do feel a little sad that the people who grew them aren't enjoying them. I'd willingly share, there's so many.

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  12. What a bounty to inherit. Good to see that crops obviously grow well on your new plot. Have a fab weekend.

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    1. I'm hoping that everything I plant does as well as the parsnips. I've got a nice little stash in the freezer now with plenty more to come.

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  13. Gosh, fancy just leaving them like thatafter all the effort of growing them. And lucky you for being on the receiving end. Thay look wonderful, you can't beat a roasted parsnip!Yum.xxx

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    1. It's sad really that they're not enjoying them, but I'm not complaining really, I'm enjoying them very much. Eleanor and I are big fans of roasted parsnips.

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  14. What a treat, they look in great condition and so the plot must be in good heart. Roasted parsnips, yum!

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    1. They're great specimens, I just hope I can grow some to match this year.

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