When to plant Parsnips in Durham

Pastinaca sativa

Parsnip
Parsnip · Pastinaca sativa

Parsnips need a deep, stone-free soil and do best where the bed has been well dug but not freshly manured. Sow direct, keep the seedbed moist while they germinate, and use fine mesh to keep carrot fly off the row. Roots swell slowly, then can be lifted as needed through the colder part of the year.

60 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden

Calibrated to Durham · last frost ≈ 10 May

Sow outdoors March to May, harvest August to February. Frost risk October to May.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow outdoorsNoNoYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestYesYesNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYes

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

  1. 01

    Prepare the Bed

    15 Mar to 24 May

    Dig the soil deeply and rake it to a fine tilth around 15th March - 24th May. Remove stones and clods, and do not add fresh manure, because it can make the roots fork.

  2. 02

    Sow Seeds

    29 Mar to 10 May

    Sow seeds thinly in shallow drills around 29th March - 10th May and cover them with fine soil. Water the row gently after sowing and keep the surface evenly moist while they germinate, as parsnips can be slow to emerge.

  3. 03

    Protect from Carrot Fly

    8 Mar to 16 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Put fine insect-proof mesh over the row from 8th March straight after sowing and seal the edges well. Leave it in place as the seedlings come through, because carrot fly can find exposed rows very quickly.

  4. 04

    Thin Seedlings

    12 Apr to 5 Jul Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Thin seedlings around 12th April - 5th July once they are large enough to handle, leaving the strongest plants apart. Thin on a damp day where possible, then water the row so the roots settle cleanly.

  5. 05

    Harvest Roots

    26 Aug to 13 Feb 2028 Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Lift roots from 26th August once they have reached a usable size, and carry on through 13th February 2028. Later roots are sweeter after cold weather, and many can stay in the ground if the soil drains freely and is not waterlogged.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Parsnip to consider

Avonresister

A dependable modern variety with good resistance to canker and a neat root shape for UK gardens.

Albion

A traditional variety that crops well in ordinary garden soils and stores reasonably well in the ground.

Tender and True

A classic heritage type with long roots and good flavour when grown in deep, stone-free soil.

Gladiator

A strong, uniform F1 variety that gives heavy roots and stands well in the soil for late harvesting.

Parsnip guides by town

See how Parsnip timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.