Picked the first parsnips of 2013 this morning.

They’re the ‘Gladiator’ variety.  Being an F1 hybrid, it had the promise to grow well but I was a little worried about damage by caterpillars or even carrot root fly, as there were carrots growing alongside until very recently, which did suffer some CRF damage.

However, after nearly eight months in the ground they’ve turned out fine.  More stubby than long, some are 5″ (12.5cm) across at the top.  We’ve had a few overnight frosts lately, which are always said to improve the flavour of parsnips.  I hope so, because there are another twenty or so still in the ground!