Parsnips can be temperamental vegetables to grow and there are a number of reasons why the roots fork.It can happen if you are growing the crop in a poor and stony soil, and can also occur if the ground is extremely rich in organic matter.

Ideally the earth should be sandy and you should incorparate some lime into it, a lack of lime can cause canker which can manifest itself as blotches on the roots.The seeds should always be sown directly in their final spot, if you grow them under cover first the disruption of transplanting them latter can also cause the temperamental roots to fork.

A good way to get around this is to grow your parsnips in drainpipes.This way you can change the soil each year and avoid any bacterial growth that leads to canker. Sink several 45-60 cm (18 inches 2 foot) long pipes into the bed, making sure they are stable.

Create a 60/40 mix of sand and soil, add a handful of lime and then fill up the pipes. Sow four seeds in each one and once they germinate thin to one seeding, you will need to water them regularly to avoid shallow rooting.You can also try growing F1 varieties that are resistant to certain diseases such as canker, EG:”Countess” or “Gladiator”.