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When to Plant Parsnip in Iron County, UT

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.

Iron County, Utah is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 21 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 133 days.

At an elevation of 6,296 feet, Iron County receives approximately 20 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Parsnip during the growing season.

Iron County, UT (Zone 6b) Short season
133 days
Last Spring Frost May 21
133 growing days
First Fall Frost October 1

Iron County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Aug 26 – Oct 7
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Sep 3 – Oct 15
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 9 🍅 Harvest: Sep 22 – Nov 3

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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 523 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Parsnip needs ~1,668 GDD — county provides 1,928 GDD Good fit

Parsnip Planting Timeline โ€” Iron County, UT

Parsnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 28
Fall Sowing July 23 Jul 23 โ€“ Aug 6
Harvest August 20 Aug 20 โ€“ Oct 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 6b

Growing Season

133 days

Growing Tips for Iron 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 Iron County, UT?

Iron County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 21. Plan your Parsnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Iron County, UT?

Iron County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 21 and first fall frost is October 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Iron County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Iron County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.