When to Plant Parsnip in Canberra, Cold / Highland Guide

Sow September to November. Right now in September you can sow.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Parsnip guide is written for the Cold / Highland zone, which takes in Canberra, Cooma and Bright. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Parsnip

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Parsnips are a cool-season root vegetable prized for their sweet, nutty flavour which intensifies after frost exposure. They are slow-growing and demand patience, but reward with excellent yields. A staple of temperate Australian gardens, they struggle in tropical and subtropical climates.

Planting Calendar for Cold / Highland

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- - - - - - - - D D D -

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

Want a nudge when it is Parsnip sowing time in Canberra?

One email a week with what is worth planting in the Cold / Highland zone right now, Parsnip included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.

Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 11.2°C (optimal range: 10–21°C) ✓ Ready to plant

Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Canberra), not a live sensor.

How to Grow Parsnip in Cold / Highland Australia

When to Plant

Sow September-November (spring) once soil has warmed to at least 10C. Harvest autumn-winter (March-July). Can leave in ground through winter with heavy mulch protection.

Soil
Deep, loose, stone-free loam. Dig to at least 30-40cm depth. Avoid heavy clay or stony soil which causes forked, stunted roots. Do not use fresh manure. This also causes forking.
pH Range
6.0-6.8
Sunlight
Full sun to light afternoon shade
Spacing
12cm apart, 40cm between rows
Watering
Consistent deep watering throughout the growing season. Inconsistent watering causes cracking and woody cores. Water deeply once or twice per week. Reduce watering slightly as roots approach maturity.

Companion plants: Radish (as row markers), Onion, Garlic, Pea

Avoid planting near: Carrot (shares pests), Celery, Dill

Cold / Highland Growing Tips for Parsnip

Recommended Varieties

  • Hollow Crown
  • Guernsey
  • Cobham Improved Marrow
  • Melbourne Whiteskin

Key Challenges

  • Short growing season
  • Soil may be too cold for germination until late spring
  • Heavy highland rainfall may cause canker

Pro Tips

  • Wait until soil reaches 10C before sowing. Cold soil kills germination
  • Frost sweetening is a real benefit at highland altitudes
  • Use raised beds if soil is heavy or waterlogged

Harvesting Parsnip

When ready: Foliage begins to yellow and die back. Roots should be at least 5cm diameter at the crown. Flavour improves significantly after first frost. Can be left in the ground and harvested as needed.

How to harvest: Loosen soil deeply alongside the root with a fork before lifting. Never pull directly. Parsnip roots snap easily. Trim foliage to 2cm. Use immediately or store.

Worth growing?

A 2.4 m × 1.2 m bed fits 46 plants, about $110 worth at today’s Coles prices, checked today.

That is roughly 9 kg at $12.00 a kilo.

Draw your parsnip bed → No account needed.

Common Parsnip Pests in Cold / Highland Zones

Carrot Fly Larvae, risk: MODERATE (score: 48/100)

Organic prevention: Do not leave thinnings on the ground. The scent attracts flies. Thin seedlings in the evening when flies are less active. Rotate carrot family crops on a 3-4 year cycle. Grow in windy, open positions

View all pest alerts →

Where to next

What parsnip costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the cold and highland zone this September: Sweet Corn, Beetroot, Chilli Peppers and Snow Peas.

The pest most likely to find your parsnip: Wireworms.

Supermarket Price

Current average retail: $12.00/kg (12-month range: $12.00–$14.30)

Grow your own and save on grocery bills.

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Common Questions About Parsnip

When do you plant parsnip in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does parsnip grow all year round in Canberra?

No. In the Cold / Highland zone the planting months are Sep to Nov. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Cold / Highland zone, Canberra is its reference city.