Green manure
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2021 4:47 pm
Does the rule about not growing parsnips etc on freshly matured ground apply to green manure? It will have been chopped up and dug in about 4 weeks before sowing.
Yes because
A. the ground has been freshly dug and this will cause the roots to fang.
B. all the breaking down organic matter will increase the nitrogen content too much in the soil (for parsnips anyway) which will cause the roots to fang.
Fanging is where instead of growing into one single root the parsnip splits and forms it'self into several fingers (some are quite rude!) and these multi rooted specimens will be rather unwelcome in the kitchen unless there is a "volunteer" to peel them....... Even then they will be soup grade only. Parsnip rosti will be the nearest dish that you will get to roast parsnips next winter.
Parsnips do best in ground that has not been freshly dug (within the last 3 months) and which also has not been manured, had compost added or green manures sown for at least a year prior to sowing (preferably 2 if you can).
Please make sure to read the do's and don'ts on your green manures as some will say not to plant certain crops after using them.
Regards Sally Wright.