When to plant Parsnips in the UK

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

UK averages · set your town for dates worked out from your local frost records · how dates are worked out

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Dates for your town

Set your town to see planting windows worked out from local frost history, not a generic UK calendar.

  1. 01

    Prepare the Bed

    early March to mid-May UK average · set your town for your exact dates

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

  2. 02

    Sow Seeds

    late March to early May UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Sow seeds thinly in shallow drills around late March to early 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

    early March to late October UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Put fine insect-proof mesh over the row from early 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

    early April to late June UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Thin seedlings around early April to late June 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

    mid-August to mid-February UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Lift roots from mid-August once they have reached a usable size, and carry on through mid-February. 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.