Zone 5b covers 25 days of last-frost dates. We measured Davenport, IA at Apr 16 and Idaho Falls, ID at May 11. Give us your town or ZIP and we'll use ten years of daily lows recorded at your own coordinates instead of the middle of that range.
Why these dates work in zone 5b
Zone 5b's last spring frost averages Apr 28 and first fall frost Oct 22 — about 177 frost-free days. Parsnip tolerates light frost, so you can sow ahead of the last-frost date and keep harvesting into the cooler fall.
Common questions
How long does parsnip take to grow in zone 5b?
Parsnip matures in about 100–130 days from sowing. In zone 5b that means sowing around Mar 31 and first picking around Jul 9.
Will parsnip survive frost in zone 5b?
Yes — parsnip tolerates light frost. In zone 5b you can sow a little before the last frost (around Apr 28) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 22).
For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full parsnip growing guide →