Blog

When to Plant Parsnip in Pecos 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.

Pecos County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 13 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 247 days.

At an elevation of 1,445 feet, Pecos County receives approximately 42.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 103ยฐF, 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.

Pecos County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
247 days
Last Spring Frost March 13
247 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15

Pecos County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.4-8.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Jul 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (91 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 2

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 745 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Parsnip needs ~3,134 GDD — county provides 6,730 GDD Excellent fit

Parsnip Planting Timeline โ€” Pecos County, TX

Parsnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 27 Feb 27 โ€“ Mar 20
Fall Sowing September 6 Sep 6 โ€“ Sep 20
Harvest June 12 Jun 12 โ€“ Jul 24

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 7b

Growing Season

247 days

Growing Tips for Pecos 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 Pecos County, TX?

Pecos County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 13. Plan your Parsnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pecos County, TX?

Pecos County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 13 and first fall frost is November 15.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Pecos County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Pecos County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.