Parsnip
Pastinaca sativa
A vegetable, sown March to May.
In September: harvest the parsnip. Wear gloves: it can harm your skin in sunlight.
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Parsnip, month by month
Bar: the usual months. Sprout: this month.
| Sowing, planting or job | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | 2027Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow outdoors. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none |
| Harvest the parsnip. | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | none | none | usual |
| Mulch the parsnip. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | none | none |
| Lift and store the parsnip. | none | none | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none |
What to do, and when
The usual months for a UK garden. Your own plan gives the week.
Handle it with care
Wear gloves: it can harm your skin in sunlight.
Strong source: RHS.
Sowing
Sow outdoors March to May, 1cm deep, 15cm apart, rows 30cm apart. Strong source: RHS.
Harvest the parsnip
Usually August to February. Strong source: RHS.
Mulch the parsnip
Spread compost between the rows to give the plants a boost.
Usually June. Moderate source: Gardeners’ World.
Lift and store the parsnip
Bury the lifted roots in a shallow trench, so they are easy to get at when needed.
Usually November. Strong source: RHS.
What the source words mean
Strong: the RHS page for this plant is among them.Moderate: another trusted UK source, or the RHS on its group.
Every line above names the page it comes from. Where we found no good source for a job, we left it out. Where the name “Parsnip” comes from.