How to Grow Parsnip

Intermediate

Pastinaca sativa

A sweet, nutty root vegetable related to carrot. Slow to germinate and requires a long growing season, but flavour improves dramatically after frost — one of the best winter roots when left in the ground. Direct sow only; does not transplant.

Last updated: June 2026

Days to Maturity
100–130 days
typical
Per Square Foot
9
Plant Spacing
10 cm / 4"
Sun
6+ hours
Water
1.0" / 25 mm
Fertilization
light feeder

Growing Notes

Direct sow as early as possible — seed viability drops quickly so use fresh seed. Keep soil moist until germination (2–4 weeks). Leave roots in the ground through frost for sweetest flavour; harvest from late fall into winter.

Popular Varieties

1 parsnip cultivars in our catalog.

Hollow Crown
100–130 days Open-Pollinated
Harvest
once
Seed viability
1 years

Square Foot Spacing

9 per sq ft

4" apart (3×3 grid)

View full spacing chart →

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