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When to Plant Parsnip in Walla Walla County, WA

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.

Walla Walla County, Washington is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost is October 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 178 days.

At an elevation of 3,151 feet, Walla Walla County receives approximately 23.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Parsnip during the growing season.

Walla Walla County, WA (Zone 7a) Moderate season
178 days
Last Spring Frost April 20
178 growing days
First Fall Frost October 15

Walla Walla County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Parsnip Planting Timeline — Walla Walla County, WA

Parsnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 6 Apr 6 – Apr 27
Harvest July 20 Jul 20 – Aug 31
Fall Sowing August 6 Aug 6 – Aug 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
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 7a

📆 Growing Season

178 days in Walla Walla County

Growing Tips for Walla Walla 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Parsnip in Walla Walla County, WA?

Walla Walla County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 20. Plan your Parsnip planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Walla Walla County, WA?

Walla Walla County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 20 and first fall frost is October 15.

🌱

Your Walla Walla County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Walla Walla County (Zone 7a). 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 Walla Walla County, WA. 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.