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When to Plant Parsnip in Utah 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.

Utah County, Utah is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 159 days.

At an elevation of 5,535 feet, Utah County receives approximately 22.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Parsnip during the growing season.

Utah County, UT (Zone 6a) Moderate season
159 days
Last Spring Frost May 5
159 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Utah County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (14 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Aug 9 – Sep 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Aug 18 – Sep 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (2 days to spare)
Transplant: May 31 🍅 Harvest: Sep 13 – Oct 25

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
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 707 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 2,305 GDD Excellent fit

Parsnip Planting Timeline โ€” Utah County, UT

Parsnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 12
Fall Sowing August 2 Aug 2 โ€“ Aug 16
Harvest August 4 Aug 4 โ€“ Sep 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Season

159 days

Growing Tips for Utah 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 Utah County, UT?

Utah County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 5. Plan your Parsnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Utah County, UT?

Utah County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 5 and first fall frost is October 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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