Parsnips in Pellon

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 Pellon · last frost ≈ 2 May

Sow March to June, harvest August to February. Frost risk October to May.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
SowNoNoYesYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestYesYesNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYes

Growing guide

Step-by-step instructions for growing Parsnip

  1. 01

    Prepare the Bed

    7 Mar to 16 May

    Dig the soil deeply and rake it to a fine tilth around 7th March - 16th May. Remove stones and clods, and do not add fresh manure, because it can make the roots fork.

  2. 02

    Sow Seeds

    7 Mar to 2 Jun

    Sow seeds thinly in shallow drills around 7th March - 2nd June 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

    19 Apr to 17 May

    Put fine insect-proof mesh over the row from 19th April 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

    24 May to 3 Jun

    Thin seedlings from 24th May - 3rd June once they are large enough to handle, leaving the strongest plants at apart. Do it on a damp day if you can, then water the row afterwards so the roots settle cleanly.

  5. 05

    Harvest Roots

    17 Aug to 22 Feb

    Lift roots from 17th August once they have reached a usable size, and carry on through 22nd February. Later roots are sweeter after cold weather, and many can stay in the ground if the soil drains freely and is not waterlogged.

Companion plants

Tap a plant to see why it works (or doesn't) with Parsnip.

Good companions

Plants to avoid

Why companion planting matters

Companion planting can deter pests, improve pollination, and make better use of space. Some plants confuse pests or attract beneficial insects; others improve soil or offer shade to neighbours that need it.

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.