Parsnips: Spacing, Yield & Planting Dates
Plant count & yield calculator
Pre-filled for this crop — adjust bed size or pick a different vegetable.
Enter bed size to count plants.
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Seed starting dates
Pre-filled last frost — change the date to rebuild the full crop schedule. For Parsnips with this frost date , direct sow ~Mar 25 .
Pick a last frost date for the schedule.
Your result
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Show the math & assumptions
Assumptions and formulas will appear here once you calculate.
About parsnips
Parsnips develop deep, sweet roots over a long season, reaching peak sweetness after hard frost converts their starches to sugars for exceptional roasting.
Spacing & yield
Parsnips wants 3×12 inches and about 0.3 lb per plant at ~110 days to maturity.
Growing tips
- Use only fresh seed — parsnip seed viability drops dramatically after one year.
- Cover sown rows with burlap or floating row cover to retain moisture during the 2-3 week germination period.
- Grow in deeply loosened, stone-free soil for straight roots without forking.
- Leave some roots in the ground under mulch for early spring harvest with maximum sweetness.
Common mistakes
- Using old seed — parsnip seed is only viable for one season.
- Letting the soil surface crust, which the weak seedlings cannot push through.
- Growing in rocky or clay soil, causing stubby forked roots.
Harvest & storage
Dig roots after several hard frosts for sweetest flavor, about 110 days from sowing minimum.
Leave in the ground under mulch, or store dug roots in damp sand at 32-35 F for months.
Companion planting
Good neighbors for parsnips: onions, garlic, radish, peas. Avoid planting beside: carrots, celery, dill.
Planting calendar
Direct sow about 3 weeks before your last spring frost — Slow germination — keep soil moist 2-3 weeks. Use the seed-starting calculator above with your real county frost date — the April 15 default is only a worked example (zone 6 style).
Estimates only — consult your local extension office for advice specific to your land and animals.
Frequently asked questions
- How far apart are parsnips planted?
- Thin to 3 inches in-row with 12 inches between rows; parsnips need depth more than width.
- How much does one parsnip weigh?
- A mature parsnip yields about 0.3 lb per root at full size.
- How long do parsnips take to grow?
- At least 110 days from sowing, plus an additional period of cold for sweetest flavor.
- Can parsnips be transplanted?
- No — direct sow only. The long taproot does not survive transplanting without forking.