Blog

When to Plant Parsnip in Juab 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.

Juab County, Utah is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 136 days.

At an elevation of 8,143 feet, Juab County receives approximately 23.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Parsnip to ensure they mature before fall.

Juab County, UT (Zone 5b) Short season
136 days
Last Spring Frost May 19
136 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2

Juab County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Aug 25 – Oct 6
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Sep 1 – Oct 13
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.

Soil Compatibility in Juab County

How your county's soil matches Parsnip's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5โ€“7.6) is more alkaline than Parsnip prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Juab County is excellent for Parsnip โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). Annual compost additions will help Parsnip.

How to Plant Parsnip

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

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

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 407 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Parsnip

Parsnip needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Parsnip Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 2.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Nov โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Oct in Juab County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Parsnip Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Parsnip needs ~1,495 GDD — county provides 1,768 GDD Good fit

Parsnip Planting Timeline โ€” Juab County, UT

Parsnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 26
Harvest August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Sep 29
Fall Sowing July 24 Jul 24 โ€“ Aug 7

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 โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

100โ€“130 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

136 days in Juab County

Growing Tips for Parsnip in Juab County

Direct sow Parsnip outdoors after May 19 in Juab County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 136.0-day growing season in Juab County is tight for Parsnip (100.0-130.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Common pests for Parsnip in this region include carrot rust fly and parsleyworm. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Juab County receives only 23" of rain annually. Parsnip needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Parsnip in Juab County, UT?

Juab County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 19. Plan your Parsnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Juab County, UT?

Juab County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 19 and first fall frost is October 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Juab County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Juab County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.