Skirret in Zone 8a & 8b
Sium sisarum
Yes, skirret grows in zones 8a and 8b and comes back each year. Start seeds indoors Jan 28–Feb 4 and plant out Mar 25–Apr 1.
When to plant skirret in zone 8b
Zones 8a and 8b 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 | Jan 28–Feb 4 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Mar 25–Apr 1 |
| 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 8b. See the details below.
Plant alongside it in zone 8b
These go outside within two weeks of skirret in zone 8b, so one planting day can cover them.
- CabbageMar 11–Mar 18
- TomatoApr 8–Apr 15
- Bush BeansApr 1–Apr 8
- Sweet CornApr 1–Apr 8
- LettuceMar 11–Mar 18
- CucumberApr 1–Apr 8
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 8's season
Zone 8b's frost-free window runs about 230 days, from March 25 to November 10. 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 8b 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 8b 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 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 8a & 8b (your zone) | 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)
← Back to the full zone 8b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Skirret in USDA zone 8b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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