Blog

When to Plant Parsnip in Morgan 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.

Morgan County, Utah is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 17 and the first fall frost is August 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 75 days.

At an elevation of 6,439 feet, Morgan County receives approximately 14.4 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. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Parsnip successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Morgan County, UT (Zone 5b) Very short season
75 days
Last Spring Frost June 17
75 growing days
First Fall Frost August 31

Morgan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 10 🍅 Harvest: Sep 23 – Nov 4
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 17 🍅 Harvest: Sep 30 – Nov 11
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 24 🍅 Harvest: Oct 7 – Nov 18

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 395 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Parsnip needs ~1,495 GDD — county provides 975 GDD May not mature

Parsnip Planting Timeline โ€” Morgan County, UT

Parsnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow June 3 Jun 3 โ€“ Jun 24
Fall Sowing June 22 Jun 22 โ€“ Jul 6
Harvest September 16 Sep 16 โ€“ Oct 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Direct Sow Fall Sowing
July Fall Sowing
August โ€”
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 5b

Growing Season

75 days

Growing Tips for Morgan 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 Morgan County, UT?

Morgan County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of June 17. Plan your Parsnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Morgan County, UT?

Morgan County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 17 and first fall frost is August 31.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Morgan 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 Morgan County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.