Question
This year my toms, heritage, are at record crop...Next door are carrots and then parsnips........ Carrorts and parsnips are all tops and no  bottoms  Roots are very long but not expanded  into harvestable condition...{soil well dug}

This is in a 5/6 area   Soil well fed  with compost from old plants and kitchen waste, mixed with ash from the wood stove and
aged horse manure.
Help.... Thanks  Ed

Answer
Ed,

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner.  I am thinking your soil needs more phosphorus and possibly potassium as well.  The kitchen waste is adding in nitrogen, the wood ash a little phosphorus but not enough.  The manure does not have much nutrient level however it is great for adding in organic matter to help with soil structure (drainage, air circulation)so keep adding that.

I would suggest amending your soil each spring with some bone meal or rock phosphate for phosphorus and greensand for potassium.  2.5 lbs per 100 square feet is what I would suggest of both. Plants use up most nutrients in the soil each year, so it is important to fertilize every season.

I hope this helps.  If you have any further questions please let me know.

Catherine
www.your-vegetable-gardening-helper.com