Skirret in Zone 7a & 7b
Sium sisarum
Yes, skirret grows in zones 7a and 7b and comes back each year. Start seeds indoors Feb 13–Feb 20 and plant out Apr 10–Apr 17.
When to plant skirret in zone 7b
Zones 7a and 7b 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 | Feb 13–Feb 20 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 10–Apr 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 7b. See the details below.
Plant alongside it in zone 7b
These go outside within two weeks of skirret in zone 7b, so one planting day can cover them.
- CabbageMar 27–Apr 3
- TomatoApr 24–May 1
- Bush BeansApr 17–Apr 24
- Sweet CornApr 17–Apr 24
- LettuceMar 27–Apr 3
- CucumberApr 17–Apr 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 7's season
Zone 7b's frost-free window runs about 198 days, from April 10 to October 25. 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 7b 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 7b 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 | 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 (your zone) | 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 →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a clear consensus of positive, independent reviews, or ones we bought and use ourselves. Each item on our gear page says which.
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)
← Back to the full zone 7b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
Pin this for later
Growing Skirret in USDA zone 7b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
Save to Pinterest