How to Grow Parsnip
Pastinaca sativa
Parsnips require full sun, deep, stone-free soil, and consistent moisture. Direct sow only—roots fork if transplanted. Use fresh seed each year (short-lived) and be patient: germination is slow and benefits from a moist, firm seedbed. Thin early for straight roots and cover against carrot fly where prevalent. Harvest from autumn once roots are well sized; flavour sweetens after frost. Lift as needed or leave in the ground under mulch and dig through winter if soil isn’t waterlogged.
When to Start
Direct sow outdoors as soon as soil reaches 7°C — typically early to mid spring. Hardy enough to tolerate light frosts.
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Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Avoid fresh manure and rich soil — causes forking. Light general feed at sowing.
- Slow to germinate (2–3 weeks). Use fresh seed each year — viability drops fast. Sow radish alongside as row markers.
Companion Planting
Onions, Radish, Garden Peas
Growing Conditions
- Min. soil temperature
- 7°C+
- Germination temperature
- 10–18°C
- Direct sow
- —
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Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 15 cm |
| Row spacing | 40 cm |
| Sow depth | 1.5 cm |
| Mature height | 40 cm |
| Mature spread | 20 cm |
Requires deep, loose soil and consistent spacing for long, straight root development.
Companion Planting
Grows well with
Onion volatiles deter carrot fly (Psila rosae), which also attacks parsnips via their shared umbelliferous scent profile. Alternate rows of onions and parsnips for season-long protection.
▼Fast-germinating radishes mark slow-to-emerge parsnip rows, preventing accidental hoeing. They also break through surface crusting, creating channels that help parsnip seedlings push through compacted soil.
▼Pea root nodules host Rhizobium bacteria that fix atmospheric nitrogen into plant-available ammonium, enriching the soil for nitrogen-hungry parsnips growing alongside. Cut pea stems at soil level after harvest to leave the nitrogen-rich roots in place.
▼Keep away from
Carrots and parsnips are both umbellifers that share the same root diseases — cavity spot (Pythium) and canker (Itersonilia). Growing them together creates a disease reservoir. Separate by at least 3 metres or rotate to different beds each year.
▼Pests & Diseases
Pest Carrot Fly
Identification: Rusty-brown tunnels in the root surface, yellowing and reddening foliage, stunted growth
- Cover with fine insect mesh or fleece from sowing to harvest
- Grow in raised beds above 60 cm to avoid low-flying adults
- Companion plant with onions or garlic
- Delay sowing until late May to avoid the first generation
- No effective chemical treatments available to home gardeners
Pest Celery Leaf Miner
Identification: Pale blotchy mines within leaves, small white maggots visible inside mines when held to the light
- Pick off and destroy affected leaves promptly
- Cover with fine insect mesh
- Encourage natural parasitoid wasps
- No effective chemical treatments once larvae are inside leaves
Pest Aphids
Identification: Clusters of greenish-yellow aphids on leaves and stems, sticky honeydew, yellowing foliage
- Blast off with a jet of water
- Encourage natural predators
- Soft soap spray
- Pyrethrum-based contact spray
Disease Parsnip Canker Itersonilia pastinacae / Mycocentrospora acerina
Symptoms: Orange-brown or black rotting patches on the root shoulders, rough cracked areas that spread into the flesh
Treatment: No cure. Cut away affected areas — the rest of the root is usually edible.
Prevention: Choose canker-resistant varieties (e.g., Javelin, Gladiator). Earth up shoulders in autumn. Avoid root damage when weeding. Rotate crops.
Disease Powdery Mildew Erysiphe heraclei
Symptoms: White powdery coating on leaves, leaves yellow and die back prematurely, reduced root size
Treatment: Remove badly affected foliage. Water at the base.
Prevention: Space plants well for airflow. Avoid drought stress. Keep plants well-watered in dry spells.
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 7°C |
| Germination temperature | 10–18°C |
| Base growth temperature | 3°C |
| Min. daylength to start | 9h |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | day neutral |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Parsnip?
- Plant Parsnip 15cm apart with 40cm between rows.
- What grows well with Parsnip?
- Parsnip grows well with onions, radish, garden peas.
- Is Parsnip frost hardy?
- Parsnip is classified as Hardy.
