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When to Plant Parsnip in Montreal, QC

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.

Montreal, Quebec is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 187 days.

At an elevation of 118 feet, Montreal receives approximately 35.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly gray-brown podzol soil. Summer highs average 79°F, so choose short-season varieties of Parsnip to ensure they mature before fall.

Montreal, QC (Zone 6b) Moderate season
187 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
187 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Montreal Soil Profile

Soil Type

Gray-Brown Podzol

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Parsnip Planting Timeline — Montreal, QC

Parsnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 30 Mar 30 – Apr 20
Harvest July 13 Jul 13 – Aug 24
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 – Aug 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Direct Sow
April Direct Sow
May
June
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

100–130 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

187 days in Montreal

Growing Tips for Montreal

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 Montreal, QC?

Montreal is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Parsnip planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Montreal, QC?

Montreal, Quebec is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 17.

🌱

Your Montreal Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Montreal (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Montreal, QC. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.