Growing Parsnip

Pastinaca sativa : Apiaceae / the umbelliferae family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
          P P P P      

(Best months for growing Parsnip in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 6°C and 21°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 8 - 10 cm apart
  • Harvest in 17-20 weeks. Best flavour if harvested after a frost..
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Swiss Chard (Silverbeet), Capsicum, Peas, Potatoes, Beans, Radishes, Garlic
  • Avoid growing close to: Carrot, Celery, Brassicas

Your comments and tips

16 Sep 19, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Probably too much fertiliser especially N. More a crop to grow autumn into winter than in spring.
24 Jan 18, Doug (Australia - tropical climate)
Live in Cairns, love parsnips, but none available in supernarkets in Jan. What if I grow them here then put in freezer for a few days after harvest? Will they grow sny time of year in tropics? Thsnks
28 Jan 18, Naomi (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Doug, I'm just up the hill from you and we do get some August frost, some years, so not tropical, but not sub-tropical either, ughh! I've had some luck and many failures with parsnips. Planting in cool weather as recommended has not worked for me because the plants are maturing in the heat before monsoon and going to seed instead of plumping roots. This year I am planting in February to try take advantage of maturing in the cooler months. If you give them a go I'd recommend protecting the plot from the lovely monsoon rains while seeds are germinating to avoid rot.
30 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
As you say try planting late summer for them to mature in the cooler winter months. Any cool weather plant needs to be grown like this..
26 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
By this guide it says you won't grow parsnips anytime of the year in the tropics. In sub-tropics June to Sept. Some things just don't grow in the tropics and somethings just don't grow a certain time of the year. In the tropics you would be trying to grow things in the cooler winter months.
11 Jul 21, Jane (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Replying to very old post, I know. I'm bordering a tropical, sub-tropical zone so it's really not possible to be guidedby one growing zone or the other. I tried that over and again and it doesn't work. However, this year, I am considering guidelines for both zones and then deciding what to do. I use both zone guidelines and/or neither and all but one plant that was doing well bowled after I over-fertilised using liquid fertiliser. This is the first year in moons that my vegies are growing well (thus far!). Why? I'm not sure, but I prepared the soil, I mulch, I water regularly and I fertilse. I also take more note of what plants go with or donot go with what plants. I also loosen the soil occasionally. Hope this helps.
14 Dec 17, Darryl (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
What is best time to sow parsnip seed in Canberra / ACT. We would expect some frosts in May / June. I currently have some from last year left to run to seed, but the seed is not ready yet. I was wondering whether I should sow some commercial seed about now (December) as I am concerned the parsnips currently seeding may be a bit late. Is the time of self-seeding a good guide of when to sow? Any tips on collecting parsnip seed and knowing when the seeds are ready??
20 Dec 17, Mike (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
On the first page here select your climate zone then your vegetable and it will give a time to plant. Sept to Nov for cool/mountain areas. Seeds are cheap to buy from internet seed selling companies.
07 Dec 17, Gary Hughes (Australia - temperate climate)
Is it possible to grow parsnips in the north of Thailand
08 Dec 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try and grow it in the cooler time of the year. Google growing parsnips in Thailand.
Showing 11 - 20 of 61 comments

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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