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

Your comments and tips

18 Jan 12, Derek (Australia - temperate climate)
Sounds likes excess nitrogen. Carrots and parsnip will split and deform with a lot of nitrogen in soil. Fruit/flowering plants including cauliflowers will produce a lot of foliage with nitrogen. Try to reduce heavy nitrogen based fertiliser for fruiting, flowering and root veg.
12 Jul 14, Yuri (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Too much nitrogen
28 Apr 11, (Australia - tropical climate)
I wish to grow parsnips on a larger scale like market gardenening... any suggestions?
09 Jun 11, Meg (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I would like to grow parsnips on a large scale any suggestions?
12 Aug 11, (Australia - tropical climate)
someone suggested to twist off the tops from parsnips so the leaves do not draw moisture from the roots. is this correct? if so at what stage of growth.
10 Aug 12, adam (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
You twist the leaves off when you dig them up to eat. It stops them going rubbery. Not while they're still growing.
10 Sep 11, 11 september (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Parrnip seeds have to be fresh, old seeds dont germinate. Just check that the seed is not out of date. When buying seed make sure they r as fresh as you can get.
12 Sep 11, Kate (Australia - temperate climate)
This is so true - and buying packets within the use by date isn't always the answer either. Parsnip seed is only viable for about six months but the commercial seed companies place a use by date at least a year into the future on their packets. I finally started a successful crop by sourcing the seed through growers on eBay who could tell me exactly what date the seed was harvested, and have used fresh seed from parsnip in my own garden ever since.
09 Jul 12, melody demeyer (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Please can you tell me where I can buy local parsnip seeds,I live in vereeniging,south africa?
06 Aug 12, Emily (Australia - temperate climate)
Probably shouldn't grow radish around brassicas (cauliflower)
Showing 21 - 30 of 102 comments

Please can you tell me where I can buy local parsnip seeds,I live in vereeniging,south africa?

- melody demeyer

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.