Parsnip is grown for its root, ready to pull about 120 days after sowing. It's hardy across USDA zones 2 through 11 and stands up to deer. As a member of the carrot family, give it a fresh bed each year — away from where its relatives just grew — so the soil-borne pests and diseases of the family never get a foothold.
Zones
2-11
pH Range
5.8-8.3
Sun
Full Sun
Days to Maturity
120
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What Parsnip is
Parsnip reaches around two feet at maturity. It's also deer-resistant.
How to grow Parsnip
Parsnip grows in USDA zones 2 through 11 and is ready to harvest about 120 days after planting. Parsnip does best in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 5.8 to 8.3, on well-drained ground. It needs around 1,700 growing degree days to mature and a growing season of at least 80 frost-free days, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
2-11
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
5.8 - 8.3
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Full Sun
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
well (dry spells)
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost Tolerance
41°F
plant_species_v5.csv
Days to Maturity
120 days
Parsnip; long-season root; flavor improves after frost.
OSU-PNW; UMass-Veg
GDD Required
1700+
plant_species_v5.csv
Mature Height
2 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost-Free Days
80+
plant_species_v5.csv
Sow directly
Sow parsnip seed straight into the bed — root crops germinate fast and resent transplanting. Give them full sun.
Match the soil
Parsnip prefers pH 5.8 to 8.3 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. A 2–3 inch mulch layer holds moisture without waterlogging.
Harvest at maturity
Parsnip is ready about 120 days after sowing (OSU-PNW; UMass-Veg). Pull while roots are young and tender — sweeter than oversized ones.
Good to know
One caution for pet owners — parsnip is toxic to dogs and cats (mild severity). Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency. (Source: ASPCA.)
Where Parsnip thrives
On hardiness alone, parsnip grows across most of the country — its range (USDA zones 2 through 11) is unusually wide. Zone is only the starting point, though: the soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific land decide how well it actually does.
Zones 2–11·Where Parsnip growsOpen map →
Continental US shown — Alaska and US Pacific territories sit outside the federal map's polygon dataset.
On USDA hardiness-zone overlap, Parsnip can grow in these states:
See if Parsnip will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether parsnip actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
We read public map data for this spot — soil, climate, flood, and parcel records. How we handle your address.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Parsnip in my zone?
Parsnip grows in USDA hardiness zones 2 through 11 (USDA PHZM 2023). Zone is one factor — soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific parcel also shape whether it takes.
How long does Parsnip take to grow?
Parsnip is ready to harvest about 120 days after planting (OSU-PNW; UMass-Veg). Your local frost dates and soil temperature move that window earlier or later.
When should you plant Parsnip?
Most growers plant parsnip after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed, leaving enough of the season for its 80-day frost-free need. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Parsnip need?
Parsnip needs full sun — a spot that catches at least 6 hours of direct summer sun a day. In more shade it still grows, but usually gives a smaller, later crop. The catch is that a yard rarely gets even light everywhere — a fence, the house, or one tall tree can quietly take those hours. A Growable Ground report reads the real sun-hours across your land, canopy and buildings included, so you can pick the brightest bed before you plant.
What soil does Parsnip need?
Parsnip prefers soil pH 5.8 to 8.3, on well-drained ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Is Parsnip safe for pets?
Parsnip is toxic to pets (dogs,cats) with mild severity. Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency.