How to grow Parsnip in New Zealand
Parsnips are sweet, nutty root vegetables that come into their own in cold, crisp winters: a few frosts turn their starch to sugar. They are slow to germinate and need deep, loose, stone-free soil for long, straight roots, so they reward patience and good preparation. They are especially worthwhile in cooler southern gardens.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Parsnip in New Zealand
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | August to October, January to April | |
| Auckland | August to October, January to April | |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | August to October, January to April | |
| Central North Island | August to October, January to April | |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | August to October, January to April | |
| Nelson & Marlborough | August to October, January to April | |
| Canterbury | August to March | Sow Aug to Mar. Cover early sowings with a cloche or frost cloth, as frosts run to mid October. Get the last sowing in by Mar so it sizes up before winter growth stops. |
| Otago & Southland | September to January | Start spring sowings in Sep; the soil is too cold before then. Cool summers let you keep sowing through Nov to Dec. Make the last sowing in Jan so the crop is ready before winter growth stops. |
| Central Otago | September to December | Start spring sowings in Sep; the soil is too cold before then. Keep sowing through Nov to Dec with steady watering. Skip autumn sowings; growth stops before they are ready. |
Where to plant
Parsnips need full sun and a loose, deeply worked, fertile soil free of lumps and stones, as even small stones make the roots fork. Dig in compost and sheep pellets well ahead of sowing, but avoid fresh manure, which also causes forked, hairy roots.
They are slow and occupy the bed for four months or more, so choose a spot you will not need for a while, and rotate them with other members of the carrot family.
- Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty, the central North Island, Wellington, and Nelson and Marlborough: sow from August to October and from January to April. Parsnips are less rewarding in the warm north, where winters are too mild to sweeten them well.
- Canterbury: sow from August to March, using a cloche for early sowings, as frosts run to mid October.
- Otago and Southland: sow from September, when the soil has warmed, through to January.
- Central Otago: sow from September to December with steady watering. Skip autumn sowings, as growth stops before they are ready.
Choosing a variety
| Variety | Notes |
|---|---|
| Hollow Crown | A long heirloom root with sweet flesh; slow to germinate but reliable |
| Javelin F1 | A slender, wedge-shaped hybrid with excellent canker resistance that holds well in the ground |
| Guernsey | A traditional variety, also sold as certified organic seed |
| Supersnip | A popular home-garden variety |
Always use fresh seed, bought or saved that season. Parsnip seed loses viability quickly, and old seed is the commonest cause of failure.
How to plant
- Prepare a deep, fine, stone-free seedbed and water it well before sowing.
- Sow plenty of fresh seed direct, about 6 mm to 1 cm deep, in rows 30 to 50 cm apart. Parsnips dislike transplanting.
- Keep the seedbed constantly moist. Germination is slow, usually two to four weeks; in warm weather a plank laid over the row helps hold moisture, but lift it as soon as seedlings appear.
- Thin seedlings to about 7 to 10 cm apart after four to five weeks.
- Keep the row weeded while the slow seedlings establish.
Watering and feeding
Water regularly and deeply, especially in dry spells; uneven watering can make the roots split.
Feed lightly with a vegetable fertiliser as they grow. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds and fresh manure, which give leafy tops and forked roots.
Harvesting
Parsnips are ready from about four months after sowing, 18 to 20 weeks by Yates NZ, but the flavour is best after a few frosts, which raise their sugar levels. Lift them with a fork, loosening the soil first, as the long roots snap easily. Start lifting a few early and leave the rest to spread the harvest.
They keep well in the ground through winter, so dig them as needed. Lift any remaining roots before they start to regrow in spring. Lifted parsnips keep up to two weeks in the fridge.
Growing in pots
Parsnips are not generally recommended for pots because of their long roots. If you try, Yates NZ suggests a pot at least 60 cm wide and deep, filled with light, stone-free mix.
Companion planting
Parsnips are slow, so they suit a bed with quick crops between the rows early on.
Good companions
- Rosemary A traditional companion said to help mask the scent of carrot-family crops from carrot rust fly.
- Beans A different plant family that can share the bed and the rotation.
Keep apart
Avoid planting these close to parsnip.
- Carrot Both share carrot rust fly and the same rotation, so growing them side by side concentrates pests.
Pests and diseases
Carrot rust fly and canker are the main parsnip problems. Fresh seed and good soil prevent most failures.
Pests to watch for
- Carrot rust fly Rusty brown tunnels in the roots and plants that yellow or stall. Sow thinly to avoid thinning and cover with fine mesh.
- Aphids Clusters on the leaves and stems.
Diseases to watch for
- Parsnip canker Orange-brown or black rough patches on the shoulders of the root that crack and rot. Grow resistant varieties such as Javelin and avoid damaging roots.
- Powdery mildew White powdery coating on the leaves in late summer.
Common questions
Why won't my parsnip seed come up?
Usually old seed or a seedbed that dried out. Parsnip seed loses viability quickly, so use fresh seed each year, keep the soil constantly moist, and allow two to four weeks for germination.
Why are my parsnips forked?
Stones, lumps, fresh manure or transplanting. Sow direct into deep, loose, stone-free soil improved with compost well before sowing.
When are parsnips ready?
From about four months after sowing, but they taste best after a few frosts, which sweeten them. Dig them through winter as needed.
Can I grow parsnips in Auckland?
Yes, sown in late winter to spring or late summer to autumn, but they are less sweet in the mild north. They are most rewarding in cooler southern gardens.
What is the brown crusty patch on my parsnips?
That is parsnip canker. Grow resistant varieties such as Javelin, avoid damaging the roots, keep watering even, and rotate where you grow them.
Sources we checked: Tui: Parsnip growing guide; Kings Seeds NZ: Parsnip Javelin F1; Yates NZ: How to grow parsnips.