Parsnips are cool-season root vegetables. They are biennial and will produce seeds the second year they are in the ground. What do they taste like? They are a starchy vegetable that can be bitter sweet, like a carrot. Cold temperatures makes the vegetable sweeter.
Parsnips are part of the Apiaceae family, so they are related to parsley and carrots. The latin name for parsnips is Pastinaca sativa.
How to Plant & Grow Parsnips
Parsnips are cool-season vegetables. They prefer soil temperature to be around 50 degrees. The cooler weather helps turn the starch to sugar, so the parsnips are sweet.
In Phoenix or gardening zone 9b, plant parsnips September through November.
If you’re gardening in the Prescott or Sedona area plant March through May.
Sow seeds under a half an inch of soil and space 6 inches apart and in rows 12 inches apart. Seedlings should appear in two weeks.
Parsnips are similar to carrots in taste. They become sweeter after a winter frost.
Companion Plants for Parsnips
Parsnips grow well planted near radishes and peppers.
How to Care For Parsnips
Light Requirements: Parsnips need full sun or about 6-8 hours of sun a day. Afternoon shade in hot climates.
Soil Requirements: Prefers fertile well-drained loose soil. Parsnips prefer slightly acidic pH. The soil pH range of 6- 7 is ideal.
Water Requirements: Parsnips like consistent moisture. Provide 1″ of water per week or as needed.
![](https://phxgardening.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/picking-parsnips.jpg)
When to Harvest Parsnips in Phoenix
Parsnips take 100-120 days from the day of planting until harvest day. Harvest before plants starts to flower. Once it flowers parsnips are bitter. Parsnips can be harvested after the frost.