Growing Parsnip

Pastinaca sativa : Apiaceae / the umbelliferae family

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

Not recommended for growing in USA - Zone 5a regions

  • 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
  • A freshly dug parsnip
  • Parsnip leaves

Best grown in deep sandy, loamy soil. Use fresh seed and soak seed overnight then, after planting, keep seeds moist until seed germinate. Similar to starting carrots, maybe cover with a wooden plank or mulch until seeds germinate. They will completely fail if the seed dries out after planting and it's not unusual to have an entire packet fail. Difficult to grow in summer as the seed dries out fast and won't germinate. Leave in the ground until after frost or at least a couple of weeks of really cold weather. The cold results in the starch in the roots being converted into sugars which give the parsnip its sweet taste. Use a spade to dig the parsnip out of the ground.

Germination rates of parsnip seed are not great so sow about 3 seeds per inch and at a depth of around half an inch. Germination may take up to 20 days. Thin seedlings down so they are about 8 cm (4 in) apart. If you are planting in rows then space the rows about 50 cm (20 in) apart.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Parsnip

Peel and roast with vegetables or meat. The sweetish flavour of parsnips enhances most other vegetables.

Your comments and tips

05 Mar 24, Jeri (USA - Zone 3b climate)
When can I start parsnips indoors for zone 3b? Or when to plant seeds outdoors? My season may be too short to start outdoors?
26 Feb 23, Paula (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I must be missing something. Doesn't it say that parsnips need frosts to finish them off. But this says to start planting seeds in July. Then 20 odd weeks from then is Summer? Wouldn't you start them at the end of summer so they are nearly ready by winter? Thanks
03 Mar 23, (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I grew parsnips in a frost free area last year.
28 Feb 23, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I think you don't have to have frost but is preferable. Different planting times for sub-tropical, temperate and cool climates. Probably to do with germination temp required.
26 Feb 23, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
It does actually say to leave parsnips in the ground until after frost (as they will be sweeter) . These are not hard and fast rules, just an indication of the best times to sow/plant seeds.
10 Jun 22, dopey duck (New Zealand - temperate climate)
growing parsnips is much like growing brussel sprouts you need them up and running before winter,parsnips need frosts to sweeten them up and brussels need cold to keep the sprouts tight but dont overcook them aldente is perfect and it lessens the sulphur smell,taste.
02 May 22, Glenn T Terrebonne (USA - Zone 9b climate)
We can grow parsnips thru the hot summer if we plant now in may
05 Feb 22, Carolyn (Australia - temperate climate)
I know parsnip seed should be fresh and have successfully grown parsnip from my own seed . I have let some parsnip go to seed for bees and seed this year but next to them is the fennel which also went to seed . Does anyone know if they cross pollinate? I don't want to waste space if this is so.
07 Feb 22, John Mauger (Australia - temperate climate)
fennel is in the Apiacea family. parsnip is from the Pastinaca family. There isn't any evidence that they can cross pollinate even though they are Umbelliferous plants. (flowers in umbels, like an umbrella). Trust this helps.
23 Feb 22, Carolyn Dixen (Australia - temperate climate)
Thankyou, I will try my seed and hope the parsnips don't taste like fennel.
Showing 1 - 10 of 102 comments

Parsnips take about 5 months to harvest from sowing and are normally planted between June and September in the Perth climate zone. This leaves a gap as seed sown in late September would be ready in late March not July - September as you were hoping. They would normally only keep for 3 - 4 weeks in the refrigerator so you still have a 'gap'. Why not plant some seed in March and give them a try? When the seedlings emerge keep them moist and apply a thick mulch to keep the soil a bit cooler. It's worth a try and you'll know for sure then. Maybe someone else has tried it and can answer.

- Giovanni

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