Guernsey

Family: Apiaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Sweet, honeyed roots with a creamy, pearly core—Guernsey parsnips develop a tender, fine-grained texture that feels almost silk-smooth when roasted.

Their flavor deepens into a warm, nutty sweetness, making them a standout for hearty winter favorites, from oven-roasting to velvety mash and rich, spoonable sauces. For home gardeners, Guernsey is a reliable, long-season choice that rewards patience with beautifully shaped, market-ready roots at about 105 days.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 105 DaysHabit: Taproot

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Guernsey Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Aug 28th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Sep 1st – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Aug 28th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Aug 26th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Aug 21st – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Aug 17th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Aug 14th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Aug 8th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Aug 3rd – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jul 24th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	Jul 15th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	Jul 6th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	Jun 19th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	May 25th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 14th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 14th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 14th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 14th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 14th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 14th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 14th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 14th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	105
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Taproot
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	50
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Guernsey parsnips have that rare, tender fine-grain that turns silky in the oven and stays cohesive in mash—less fibrous crunch, more pearly, honeyed sweetness. Roast them hard for caramel edges, then pair with brown butter and sage for a warm, nutty finish that tastes almost like winter comfort turned savory.

Best Uses

roast until lacquered at the edges, then scoop for caramelized bite
velvety parsnip mash (no graininess, it stays silky)
simmer into a spoonable cream sauce for chicken or pork
braise and finish with brown butter for a nutty gloss

Flavor Profile

honeyed sweetness warm, nutty earthiness fine-grained, silk-smooth roast texture creamy, pearly core that purées cleanly

Kitchen Pairings

brown butter cream sage thyme honey gruyère

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Pastinaca sativa (parsnip/“Guernsey”) and what should I do?

Parsnips commonly suffer from leaf blight/alternaria and sometimes powdery mildew, especially in cool, wet weather. Remove and discard infected leaves, space plants for airflow, and avoid overhead watering; if the problem keeps recurring, use a labeled organic fungicide and start applications when spots first appear. Watch for carrot/parsley-family issues like aphids on tender growth—blast them off with water and encourage beneficial insects rather than applying broad insecticides.

How often should I water Pastinaca sativa during the main growing phase?

During active root growth, keep soil evenly moist so the taproot forms straight and doesn’t split; in most gardens this means watering about 1–2 times per week with enough water to wet the root zone, then adjusting for rainfall. If the surface dries out, parsnip roots can become woody—check moisture 2–3 inches down and water when it’s starting to dry there. Once roots are well established, reduce frequency slightly but don’t let the soil fully dry out for long periods.

How do I tell when Guernsey (Pastinaca sativa) is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 105 days for typical maturity, but use root size and feel as the main guide: the roots should be well-formed, firm, and typically several inches long with a good diameter. Many gardeners also wait for a light frost because it sweetens parsnip flavor—if you can, lift roots after the first cold spell while the soil is workable. Don’t delay too long in wet ground, since prolonged soggy conditions can reduce texture.