How to grow parsnip
Pastinaca sativa · Apiaceae · Vegetable
When to plant parsnips: the short answer
Sow outdoors about 1 week before the last frost. Seeds germinate in soil from 45 to 75°F, fastest near 65°F.
Zone 5: sow Apr 18 – May 7. Zone 7: sow Mar 24 – Apr 12. Zone 9: sow Feb 8 – Feb 27. See every zone.
Parsnip is a cool-season vegetable in the Apiaceae family, almost always sown straight into the ground where it will grow. It wants full sun, though it tolerates a little afternoon shade in hot regions and steady, even moisture. From sowing to first pick is about 100–130 days. It is one of the toughest crops here, standing through hard frost and often improving for it.
Grower’s note: Buy fresh seed every year - parsnip seed is nearly dead by its second birthday. Slow to germinate; keep the row damp for a month. Sown in spring, harvested from fall through winter; frost turns it sweet and it stores in the ground.
Sowing
Sow about 0.5″ deep, into soil between 45–75°F — germination is quickest near 65°F. It is slow and often erratic to germinate (14–28 days). It does not transplant well, so sow it in its final position rather than starting it in pots.
Spacing & layout
Give each plant about 4″ along the row with roughly 18″ between rows. On a square-foot grid that is 9 per square foot. Allow at least 18″ of loose, workable soil for the roots. It grows well in containers at least 16″ deep.
Fitting it to your season
As a cool-season crop, parsnip does its best growing in the mild weather of spring and fall and tends to bolt or turn bitter in summer heat.
Quick facts
Growth stages: how long parsnips take to grow
From sowing to first harvest takes roughly 100-130 days (14-19 weeks), with seedlings appearing after 14-28 days in soil around 65°F.
When to plant parsnip
When to plant parsnips by USDA zone
Dates worked out from each zone’s typical frost dates for 2026. Find your zone on the zone map, or pick your state below for dates from its own frost dates. Zones 11 and above are frost-free, so timing there depends on heat and rain instead.
| Zone | Last / first frost | Start indoors | Sow or plant out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May 15 / Sep 15 | - | May 3 – May 22 |
| Zone 4 | May 10 / Sep 25 | - | Apr 28 – May 17 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 / Oct 5 | - | Apr 18 – May 7 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 / Oct 15 | - | Apr 3 – Apr 22 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 / Oct 25 | - | Mar 24 – Apr 12 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 20 / Nov 5 | - | Mar 8 – Mar 27 |
| Zone 9 | Feb 20 / Nov 30 | - | Feb 8 – Feb 27 |
| Zone 10 | Jan 30 / Dec 15 | - | Jan 18 – Feb 6 |
Companions
Onion, Radish, Bush Bean, Lettuce
Carrot, Celery
Common problems
Pests: carrot rust fly, aphids.
Diseases & disorders: parsnip canker, leaf spot.
Same family (Apiaceae)
Rotate these so they don’t follow each other in the same bed year to year.
Questions gardeners ask
When should I plant parsnips?
Sow outdoors about 1 week before the last frost. Seeds germinate in soil from 45 to 75°F. The table on this page gives dates for each USDA zone, and the planting calendar gives dates for your own state or ZIP code.
How long do parsnips take to grow?
About 100-130 days from sowing to the first harvest. Seeds germinate in 14-28 days, fastest in soil around 65°F.
How much sun do parsnips need?
They need six or more hours of sun for the best growth, though four to six hours in partial shade is enough.
What soil pH do parsnips need?
A soil pH between 6.0 and 8.0. It tolerates neutral to slightly alkaline soil better than most vegetables. Test before adding lime or sulfur - see the soil pH and testing guide.
How far apart should I plant parsnips?
Space plants about 4 inches apart in rows 18 inches apart, or 9 per square foot in a square-foot bed. Sow seeds about ½ inch deep.
Can I grow parsnips in a container?
Yes. Use a container at least 16 inches deep with drainage holes and a good potting mix, and water more often than you would in the ground.
Figures are typical home-garden ranges from Cooperative Extension planting guides, cross-checked against multiple state sources. Your variety and conditions will vary.