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When to Plant Parsnip in Cottle 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.

Cottle County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 30 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 224 days.

At an elevation of 3,553 feet, Cottle County receives approximately 59.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 97ยฐF, so Parsnip may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Parsnip will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Parsnip root diseases.

Cottle County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
224 days
Last Spring Frost March 30
224 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9

Cottle County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.5-8.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (77 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Aug 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (77 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Aug 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Sep 8

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Parsnip needs ~2,616 GDD — county provides 5,096 GDD Excellent fit

Parsnip Planting Timeline โ€” Cottle County, TX

Parsnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 16 Mar 16 โ€“ Apr 6
Fall Sowing August 31 Aug 31 โ€“ Sep 14
Harvest June 29 Jun 29 โ€“ Aug 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Direct Sow
April Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
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 7b

Growing Season

224 days

Growing Tips for Cottle 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Parsnip in Cottle County, TX?

Cottle County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 30. Plan your Parsnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cottle County, TX?

Cottle County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 30 and first fall frost is November 9.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cottle County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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