North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Donna &/or Kieran" <holycow@cookeville.com>]

We grow parsnips in our heavy clay, and they do fine.  Supposedly hitting 
rocks or gravelly bits can turn the roots, but you can't find a rock to 
throw at a dog in our garden.  Is there a hardpan or a change in texture in 
the soil in your garden?  Do you plow or till it just to a certain depth 
every year?  The mass of roots is odd too, ours never do much splitting, 
much less looking like Medusa.  They do say to use only compost or old 
manure on parsnips and carrots.  Hope this helps.   Donna