Zone 6b covers 17 days of last-frost dates. We measured Springfield, MO at Apr 6 and Detroit, MI at Apr 23. 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 6b
Zone 6b's last spring frost averages Apr 19 and first fall frost Nov 6 — about 201 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 6b?
Parsnip matures in about 100–130 days from sowing. In zone 6b that means sowing around Mar 22 and first picking around Jun 30.
Will parsnip survive frost in zone 6b?
Yes — parsnip tolerates light frost. In zone 6b you can sow a little before the last frost (around Apr 19) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 6).
For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full parsnip growing guide →