How to grow parsnips in a raised bed

Parsnips are a patient gardener's reward — slow to start, but a raised bed's deep, stone-free mix grows long, sweet roots that turn honeyed after a frost.

Quick facts

• Position: full sun to part shade
• Spacing: 8–10 cm apart
• Tub depth: our 41 cm depth — deep and loose for long roots
• Time to harvest: 4–5 months

When should I plant parsnips?

Sow directly from late summer into autumn for a winter harvest. Always use fresh seed — parsnip seed doesn't keep — and be patient, as it's slow to germinate. Our free garden calendar shows the right months for your postcode.

• Subtropical (Brisbane & SEQ): July to August
• Temperate (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth): August to January
• Cool & mountain (Tasmania, Canberra, highlands): September to January
• Tropical (Cairns, Darwin): Not really suited to this zone
• Arid inland: August to November

How do I grow parsnips in a raised bed?

Sow into fine, loose mix and keep it damp until the seedlings appear (up to a few weeks). Thin so the roots have room. A raised bed avoids the forking that stony ground causes.

How often should I water and feed parsnips?

Keep moisture even to prevent splitting. Go easy on fresh manure, which makes roots fork.

What pests attack parsnips?

Keep an eye out for aphids and cutworms. Most are easily managed — see our safe pest guide.

What diseases affect parsnips?

The main ones are leaf spot. Good airflow, morning watering and steady moisture prevent most.

What grows well with parsnips?

Onions and leeks help mask them from pests; a good crop to follow beans. See our companion planting guide.

When do I harvest parsnips?

Leave them in the ground and lift as needed through winter — a cold snap turns the starches to sugar and makes them sweeter.

More growing guides: carrots, celeriac and sweet potato.

Plan your patch: our free garden calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.

Image: René Hourdry, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.