Roots & bulbs
Parsnip
Roots that need time to size up. The foliage is not edible.
Sowing & planting windows in Australia
Planting timing varies by broad Australian gardening zone. Local weather, unusual seasons and your garden’s microclimate can shift timing.
Cool
Sow · Sep–Nov
Core months: September, October, November
Possible / shoulder months: January, February, August, December
Temperate
Sow · Aug–Nov
Core months: August, September, October, November
Possible / shoulder months: January, February, March, July, December
Subtropical
Sow · Jun–Sep
Core months: June, July, August, September
Possible / shoulder months: February, March, April, May
Tropical
Sow · Mar–Aug
Core months: March, April, May, June, July, August
Arid
Sow · Jul–Sep
Core months: July, August, September
Possible / shoulder months: February, March, April, May, June, October, November, December
Getting started
Sow directly where plants will grow; thin seedlings to the spacing needed at maturity.
The right conditions
Choose full sun, fertile free-draining soil and reliable moisture.
As it grows
Water consistently while establishing, keep weeds down and provide support where the mature habit needs it. Watch for local pests and remove damaged growth.
Ready to harvest
Lift roots once full-sized; in cool districts, cold soil can improve sweetness. Do not eat the foliage.
Related how-to guides
Lift root crops without snapping them
Check a sample root and the variety’s harvest guidance.
Plant guidance: Desk-reviewed; not field-tested. Planting windows are a guide rather than a rule.