Yesterday I mentioned that parsnips left in the ground over the winter are now getting leaves and greening up. As I drifted off to sleep last night I remembered an important fact about parsnips.

Parsnips have a two-year life cycle. During the first year they grow leaves and form a long root, which we normally eat. However, if left in the ground, the plant goes dormant over the winter, and in the second year they grow more leaves and set seed.

So, I will harvest only a few of my second-year parsnips and let the rest produce seed for next year.  That was easy!