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When to Plant Parsnip in Waushara County, WI

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.

Waushara County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 162 days.

At an elevation of 560 feet, Waushara County receives approximately 37.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Parsnip to ensure they mature before fall.

Waushara County, WI (Zone 4b) Moderate season
162 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
162 growing days
First Fall Frost October 9

Waushara County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Aug 8 – Sep 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Aug 13 – Sep 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Aug 31 – Oct 12

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 44 gal / 100 sq ft
Parsnip needs ~1,236 GDD — county provides 1,741 GDD Excellent fit

Parsnip Planting Timeline โ€” Waushara County, WI

Parsnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 14
Fall Sowing July 17 Jul 17 โ€“ Jul 31
Harvest August 6 Aug 6 โ€“ Sep 17

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 Fall Sowing
August 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 4b

Growing Season

162 days

Growing Tips for Waushara 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 Waushara County, WI?

Waushara County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Parsnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Waushara County, WI?

Waushara County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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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 Waushara County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.