When to plant Parsnips in London

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 London · last frost ≈ 4 Apr

Sow outdoors February to April, harvest July to March. Frost risk November to April.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow outdoorsNoYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestYesYesYesNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesYes

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

  1. 01

    Prepare the Bed

    7 Feb to 18 Apr

    Dig the soil deeply and rake it to a fine tilth around 7th February - 18th April. Remove stones and clods, and do not add fresh manure, because it can make the roots fork.

  2. 02

    Sow Seeds

    21 Feb to 4 Apr

    Sow seeds thinly in shallow drills around 21st February - 4th April 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

    31 Jan to 10 Nov Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Put fine insect-proof mesh over the row from 31st January 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

    7 Mar to 30 May Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Thin seedlings around 7th March - 30th May 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

    21 Jul to 10 Mar 2028 Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Lift roots from 21st July once they have reached a usable size, and carry on through 10th March 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.