Skirret in Zone 5a & 5b
Sium sisarum
Yes, skirret grows in zones 5a and 5b and comes back each year. Start seeds indoors Mar 15–Mar 22 and plant out May 10–May 17.
When to plant skirret in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Either works.
| Start indoors | Mar 15–Mar 22 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 10–May 17 |
| Estimated harvest | First real harvest the season after planting |
Spacing: about 2 square feet per plant (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1.5-2.5 ft.
Before you plant: Skirret has a winter-hardiness note for zone 5b. See the details below.
Plant alongside it in zone 5b
These go outside within two weeks of skirret in zone 5b, so one planting day can cover them.
- CabbageApr 26–May 3
- TomatoMay 24–May 31
- Bush BeansMay 17–May 24
- Sweet CornMay 17–May 24
- LettuceApr 26–May 3
- CucumberMay 17–May 24
Skirret is a minor European root crop, related to carrot and parsnip, that's been repeatedly lost and rediscovered over the centuries. It's rarely grown today, though not for lack of flavor: cooked roots taste sweet and soft, something like a cross between carrot and potato.
How skirret fits zone 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. Skirret takes about 1 growing season to reach first worthwhile harvest, so what matters here is how many of these seasons it gets, not whether one is long enough.
Skirret is hardy in zones 5-9, so in zone 5b it stays in the ground through winter and comes back rather than being replanted. Allow about 1 ft of spread at maturity.
Skirret planting windows in every zone
Zone 5b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5a & 5b (your zone) | Mar 15–Mar 22 | May 10–May 17 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 6a & 6b | Feb 28–Mar 7 | Apr 25–May 2 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 7a & 7b | Feb 13–Feb 20 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 8a & 8b | Jan 28–Feb 4 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 9a & 9b | Dec 21–Dec 28 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | First real harvest the season after planting |
Good companions
No well-established companions for skirret.
Where to buy skirret seeds
None of the seed suppliers we list carries skirret seeds right now. A local garden center or a specialty seed house is the place to look.
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing skirret" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
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Growing Skirret in USDA zone 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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