root · direct sow
Parsnip: how much to plant.
A family of 4 eating parsnip a few times a week needs about 19 plants in ~8 sq ft, worth about $19 a year at the store. Here are the exact numbers for your household, and when to plant in every zone.
How much to plant
Plants, space, seeds, and value.
Counts assume about 3 servings per person per week with a germination buffer built in. Store value uses ~$2.00/lb retail — an estimate that varies by region and season.
| Household | Plants | Bed space | Seeds to buy | Store value / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 5 | ~2 sq ft | ~12 | ~$5 |
| 2 people | 10 | ~4 sq ft | ~24 | ~$10 |
| 4 people | 19 | ~8 sq ft | ~44 | ~$19 |
| 6 people | 28 | ~11 sq ft | ~65 | ~$28 |
Spacing
3" in row · 18" between rows
Sow depth
0.5"
Days to harvest
120 from seed
When to plant
Sow windows by USDA zone, 2026.
Zone dates are typical, not exact. The free planner uses your ZIP code's frost dates, not just the zone, and shifts every window to match.
| Zone | Spring sow window | Fall sow window |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | Feb 20 – Apr 3 | Jun 2 – Jul 7 |
| Zone 4 | Feb 15 – Mar 29 | Jun 12 – Jul 17 |
| Zone 5 | Feb 5 – Mar 19 | Jun 22 – Jul 27 |
| Zone 6 | Jan 26 – Mar 9 | Jul 2 – Aug 6 |
| Zone 7 | Jan 11 – Feb 22 | Jul 12 – Aug 16 |
| Zone 8 | Jan 1 – Feb 11 | Aug 2 – Sep 6 |
| Zone 9 | Jan 1 – Jan 9 | Aug 22 – Sep 26 |
| Zone 10 | Jan 1 – Jan 1 | Sep 1 – Oct 6 |
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Yield
About 0.5 lbs per plant over ~1 productive weeks (~0.5 lb).
Watch for
Carrot rust fly · Parsleyworm · Aphids — the pest guide covers organic fixes for each, and Pest Radar shows what gardeners near you are reporting right now.
Neighbors
Plays well with garlic, onion-bulb, radish. Keep away from carrot.
On the plate (per 100 g, USDA)
75 kcal · 4.9 g fiber · 17 mg vitamin C · 375 mg potassium
Stop guessing. Get your exact numbers.
Tell the free planner what you want to eat and who you're feeding. It returns plant counts, spacing, and frost-safe sow dates for your ZIP code — not just your zone — in about 60 seconds.