Blog

When to Plant Parsnip in Bexar County, TX

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.

Bexar County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 11 and the first fall frost is November 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 251 days.

At an elevation of 3,197 feet, Bexar County receives approximately 52.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Parsnip during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Parsnip root diseases.

Bexar County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
251 days
Last Spring Frost March 11
251 growing days
First Fall Frost November 17

Bexar County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Jul 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 1

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 286 gal / 100 sq ft
Parsnip needs ~2,271 GDD — county provides 4,957 GDD Excellent fit

Parsnip Planting Timeline โ€” Bexar County, TX

Parsnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 25 Feb 25 โ€“ Mar 18
Fall Sowing September 8 Sep 8 โ€“ Sep 22
Harvest June 10 Jun 10 โ€“ Jul 22

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Direct Sow
March Direct Sow
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

100โ€“130 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 8b

Growing Season

251 days

Growing Tips for Bexar County

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.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Carrots
  • Celery

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Parsnip in Bexar County, TX?

Bexar County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 11. Plan your Parsnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bexar County, TX?

Bexar County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 11 and first fall frost is November 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bexar County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Bexar County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.