Hybrid

Albion

Pastinaca sativa

Wikimedia Commons

Long, tapered roots are noticeably whiter and slower to discolor than Javelin. Large roots are suitable for fresh market or processing. Also available with NOP-compliant pelleting.

Harvest

120d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

1–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Difficulty

Easy

🌱

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct Sow

Harvest

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Albion in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 root-vegetable →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Albion · Zones 1–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorWhite

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 1	—	—	June – July	October – September
Zone 2	—	—	May – July	September – September
Zone 11	—	—	January – February	April – December
Zone 12	—	—	January – February	April – December
Zone 13	—	—	January – February	April – December
Zone 3	—	—	May – June	September – October
Zone 4	—	—	April – June	August – October
Zone 5	—	—	April – May	August – November
Zone 6	—	—	April – May	August – November
Zone 7	—	—	March – May	July – November
Zone 8	—	—	March – April	July – December
Zone 9	—	—	February – March	June – December
Zone 10	—	—	January – March	May – December

Succession Planting

Parsnips don't suit succession sowing — each plant runs a full 120 days from direct sow to harvest, and you get one root per plant, one time. Sow your full intended bed in a single pass between March and May (zone 7) and let it carry through to the July–November harvest window. NC State Extension's organic gardening notes recommend keeping root crops out of the same bed for three to four years, so mark where this bed is now and plan next year's parsnips elsewhere.

Complete Growing Guide

Long, tapered roots are noticeably whiter and slower to discolor than Javelin. Large roots are suitable for fresh market or processing. Also available with NOP-compliant pelleting. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Albion is 120 days to maturity, annual, hybrid (f1).

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry, Occasionally Wet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: High.

Harvesting

Albion reaches harvest at 120 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

The fruit is elongated and dry with a single winged seed that is dispersed by the wind

Type: Schizocarp. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.

Harvest time: Fall, Summer

Edibility: The fleshy sweet taproot from first-year plants is edible, either raw or baked, boiled, pureed, roasted, fried, grilled, or steamed. It can be used in soups and stews.

Storage & Preservation

Harvest Albion parsnips after 120 days when roots reach 8–10 inches long. Store freshly dug roots in a cool cellar or refrigerator at 32–40°F with high humidity (95%), packed in damp sand or sawdust within perforated plastic bags. They'll keep for 3–4 months under these conditions. For longer preservation, freeze blanched and sliced roots for up to 8 months, or roast and freeze for ready-to-heat portions. Canning is possible using tested pressure-canning recipes, though freezing better preserves the sweet, delicate flavor. Drying is less common but works if sliced thin and stored in airtight containers. Albion's natural sweetness increases after frost exposure in the field, so consider leaving roots in the ground under mulch through early winter and harvesting as needed—they stay fresher this way than stored indoors.

History & Origin

Albion is an F1 hybrid developed through controlled cross-pollination. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: Europe

Advantages

+Exceptionally white roots resist browning and oxidation during storage
+Large root size makes it ideal for both retail and commercial processing
+Slower discoloration extends shelf life and maintains visual appeal longer
+Extended 120-day maturity allows flexible harvest windows

Considerations

-Long growing season requires careful frost timing in short-season regions
-Parsnip canker and root rot diseases can reduce yields significantly
-Requires well-draining, stone-free soil to prevent forking and misshapen roots
-Slower germination and establishment compared to faster parsnip varieties

Companion Plants

Onions, garlic, and chives are the most useful neighbors here — their sulfur compounds disrupt the egg-laying behavior of root flies without casting enough shade to bother parsnip tops. Carrots share similar deep-soil prep and won't compete at the surface, but NC State Extension's IPM guidance flags a real risk: planting closely related root crops in the same bed year after year concentrates shared pests and diseases, so rotate carrots and parsnips together rather than treating them as permanent roommates. Fennel is the one to cut entirely from the list — it produces allelopathic compounds that suppress most vegetables, and parsnips are no exception. Brassicas create a different problem: heavy feeders that strip the same soil nutrients parsnips need over a 120-day season, and they carry fungal pressure that can spill over in a wet spring.

Plant Together

Carrots

Break up soil with their taproots, helping daikon develop properly

Lettuce

Shallow roots don't compete, provides ground cover to retain moisture

Spinach

Quick-growing crop that can be harvested before daikon needs full space

Onions

Repel root maggots and other soil pests that damage radish family plants

Garlic

Natural fungicide properties help prevent root rot and soil-borne diseases

Nasturtiums

Trap crop for flea beetles and aphids that commonly attack brassicas

Chives

Repel aphids and improve soil health with their shallow root system

Marigolds

Deter nematodes and soil pests while attracting beneficial insects

Keep Apart

Brassicas

Same family as daikon, compete for nutrients and attract same pests like clubroot

Fennel

Allelopathic compounds inhibit growth of most vegetables including radishes

Pole Beans

Heavy nitrogen fixation can cause excessive leaf growth at expense of root development

Nutrition Facts

Calories

41kcal(2%)

Protein

0.93g(2%)

Fiber

2.8g(10%)

Carbs

9.58g(3%)

Fat

0.24g(0%)

Vitamin C

5.9mg(7%)

Vitamin A

835mcg(93%)

Vitamin K

13.2mcg(11%)

Iron

0.3mg(2%)

Calcium

33mg(3%)

Potassium

320mg(7%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #170393)

Troubleshooting Albion

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Seedlings collapse overnight — stems pinched black at the soil line, roots brown and slimy

Likely Causes

Damping off — typically Pythium or Rhizoctonia species, both soil-borne fungi that thrive in wet, cool conditions
Overwatering or poorly draining seed-starting mix

What to Do

1.Pull and bin the affected seedlings immediately; don't compost them
2.Let the soil surface dry out between waterings — parsnips don't need constant moisture at germination
3.Next sowing, use fresh seed-starting mix and make sure containers have drainage holes

Roots fork, split into multiple thin prongs, or are short and stubby at harvest (around day 120)

Likely Causes

Rocky or compacted soil that the taproot can't penetrate cleanly
Fresh manure or high-nitrogen fertilizer applied just before sowing, which encourages forking

What to Do

1.Double-dig the bed to at least 18 inches before sowing, breaking up any hardpan
2.Work in aged compost only — not fresh manure — several weeks before direct sowing in March through May
3.If your native soil is heavy clay, consider a raised bed filled with a looser mix

Poor or uneven germination — sparse seedlings or bare patches 3–4 weeks after sowing

Likely Causes

Old seed — parsnip seed loses viability fast, often dropping below 50% germination after just one year
Soil crust forming over the seed row before emergence, blocking sprouts

What to Do

1.Buy fresh seed each season; don't trust last year's packet
2.Cover the seed row with vermiculite or fine compost instead of native soil to prevent crusting
3.Sow thickly — three or four seeds per inch — and thin once seedlings are established

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Albion root vegetable take to harvest?▼

Albion typically requires 120 days from planting to harvest. This moderate timeline makes it suitable for most growing seasons. Plan your planting date by counting back 120 days from your first expected frost date to ensure full maturity before cold weather arrives.

Is Albion a good variety for beginners?▼

Yes, Albion is an excellent choice for beginner gardeners. It's classified as an Easy-difficulty hybrid variety that's reliable and forgiving. Its hybrid genetics and resistance to discoloration make it a dependable option for those new to growing root vegetables.

What makes Albion different from Javelin?▼

Albion roots are noticeably whiter and slower to discolor compared to Javelin, making them more attractive for fresh market sales. Both are quality root vegetables, but Albion's superior color retention and larger root size give it an advantage for both fresh consumption and processing applications.

What sun and soil conditions does Albion need?▼

Albion requires full sun with at least 6+ hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and root development. While specific soil preferences aren't detailed, root vegetables generally thrive in well-drained, loose soil that allows for straight root development without obstacles.

Are there common pests or diseases affecting Albion?▼

Specific pests and disease information for Albion is not documented in standard references. However, like most root vegetables, watch for carrot rust fly, root-knot nematodes, and fungal diseases in humid conditions. Proper crop rotation and drainage help prevent most issues.