Parsnip Planting Guide

April

April parsnip essentials

Month-by-month parsnip fundamentals. Your frost dates change the timing, so pick your county for a tailored plan.

Sun full sun

Water moderate

Days to harvest 100–130

Plant depth 1″

Spacing 15″

How to water parsnip
About an inch of water a week keeps parsnip happy. Check your weather forecast before watering — skip if rain is coming.
Where to put parsnip
South-facing beds are ideal for parsnip. Shade from nearby trees or fences costs real production.
Check your local forecast before planting
Your zone determines the exact week to plant parsnip. Pick your county below and we'll line everything up against your frost dates.

Get parsnip planting dates for your county →

Parsnips are a sweet, nutty root vegetable that develops best flavor after exposure to frost. They require a long growing season but reward patient gardeners.

Pastinaca sativa · Vegetable · Apiaceae family · 100–130 days to maturity

Get Your Personalized Parsnip Planting Dates

Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.

Where Can You Grow Parsnip?

Zone Compatibility for Parsnip Zones 2a – 9b

1a 1b 2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b 12a 12b 13a 13b

Ideal (data available) Suitable Marginal Not recommended

Planting Dates by Zone

Zone	Start Indoors	Direct Sow	Transplant	Harvest
Zone 2a	—	May 23	—	Sep 5 – Oct 17
Zone 2b	—	May 15	—	Aug 28 – Oct 9
Zone 3a	—	May 8	—	Aug 21 – Sep 11
Zone 3b	—	May 3	—	Aug 16 – Sep 6
Zone 4a	—	Apr 29	—	Aug 12 – Sep 23
Zone 4b	—	Apr 24	—	Aug 7 – Sep 18
Zone 5a	—	Apr 11	—	Jul 25 – Sep 5
Zone 5b	—	Apr 4	—	Jul 18 – Aug 29
Zone 6a	—	Mar 27	—	Jul 10 – Aug 21
Zone 6b	—	Mar 20	—	Jul 3 – Aug 14
Zone 7a	—	Mar 11	—	Jun 24 – Aug 5
Zone 7b	—	Mar 4	—	Jun 17 – Jul 29
Zone 8a	—	Feb 22	—	Jun 7 – Jul 19
Zone 8b	—	Feb 11	—	May 27 – Jul 8
Zone 9a	—	Jan 20	—	May 5 – Jun 16
Zone 9b	—	Jan 4	—	Apr 19 – May 31

Why are some columns showing "—"?

Start Indoors shows "—" because Parsnip is typically direct sown outdoors rather than started indoors. It germinates quickly and doesn't transplant well.

Transplant shows "—" because Parsnip is best direct sown where it will grow. Transplanting can disturb the roots and slow growth.

How to Plant Parsnip

Planting Depth

15"

Between Plants

24"

Between Rows

🍂 Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.

🧪 Soil pH

6 – 7

Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.

🗺️ Hardiness Zones

Zone 2a – 9b

📅 Days to Maturity

100–130 days

Long-season crop. Start indoors in cold climates to get a head start.

👪 Plant Family

Apiaceae

Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Apiaceae family crops grew last year.

How Much Parsnip to Grow

Parsnip takes 100–130 days to mature. In most zones you'll get one harvest per season, so plant enough to last.

Companion Planting for Parsnip

✅ Good Companions

Peas Radish Lettuce

❌ Keep Away From

Carrots Celery

Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Growing Tips for Parsnip

Use only fresh seed as parsnip seed viability declines rapidly. Sow directly in spring in deeply worked soil. Leave roots in the ground through winter for sweetest flavor.

Saving Parsnip Seeds

Recommended for Your Garden

🌱

Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

🧪

Soil Test Kit $12-25

Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.

🏷️

Garden Plant Markers $6-12

Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.

Reader favourite

Seed Saving & Storage Guide

$27 $157 value

Most saved seeds go bad before next season. This shows exactly when to pick, how to dry, and where to store seeds from 200 plants so yours don't.

200 plants, step-by-step: life cycle, pollination type, isolation
Exact temperature + humidity ranges that keep seeds viable
Bonus: searchable Google Sheets tracker + custom GPT assistant

Save a lifetime of seed money →

Parsnip by State

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to grow Parsnip?

Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) takes 100 to 130 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.

What zones can Parsnip grow in?

Parsnip can be grown in USDA zones 2a through 9b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.

How much sun does Parsnip need?

Growing Parsnip requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 7.