How to Grow Parsnip
Pastinaca sativa
Parsnip is a cool-season root vegetable prized for its sweet, nutty flavor that develops after exposure to frost. Gardeners cultivate it for its distinctive white taproot and ability to thrive in cooler temperatures where many other crops struggle.
📷 Wikipedia: ParsnipStarting Parsnip: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Parsnip is not usually started indoors.
Parsnip is best direct-sown into the garden rather than started indoors and transplanted later.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 by mixing in compost. Sow seeds directly outdoors 2 to 6 weeks before the last spring frost, as this cool-season crop tolerates light chilling. Press seeds into the soil at a depth of about half an inch, since they are small and require darkness to germinate properly within two to four weeks.
Space plants 3 to 6 inches apart in rows to allow room for their long roots to expand without competition. Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged throughout the growing season to prevent root splitting. Apply a layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds, while avoiding heavy feeding which can cause excessive leaf growth at the expense of the root.
Watch for flea beetles and carrot rust fly larvae; use row covers early in the season to deter these pests. Harvest the roots 100 to 130 days after sowing when they have reached full size. Dig carefully with a fork to avoid damaging the taproot, then brush off excess soil before storing or cooking.
When to Plant Parsnip
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | June – July | September |
| Zone 2 | — | May – July | September |
| Zone 3 | — | May – June | August – October |
| Zone 4 | — | April – June | August – October |
| Zone 5 | — | April – May | August – November |
| Zone 6 | — | April – May | July – November |
| Zone 7 | — | March – May | July – November |
| Zone 8 | — | March – April | June – December |
| Zone 9 | — | February – March | May – December |
| Zone 10 | — | January – March | May – December |
| Zone 11 | — | January – February | April – December |
| Zone 12 | — | January – February | April – December |
| Zone 13 | — | January – February | April – December |
