When to Plant Parsley in Zone 5

Petroselinum crispum

Last updated: Apr 29, 2026 · Sources: USDA, NOAA, Cooperative Extension
Action Plan

Plant Parsley in Zone 5

  • Start indoors: Mar 19
  • Transplant: May 7 — after last frost (Apr 30)
  • First harvest: Aug 6 (70–90 days after planting)
⚠️ Don't plant before last frost (Apr 30) — cold snaps kill young transplants.
Last frost
Apr 30
First frost
Oct 5
Growing season
158 days
Quick Facts
Sunlight ⛅ Partial Sun
Water Needs 💧💧 Moderate
Spacing 10 inches apart
Planting Depth 0.25 inch
Min Soil Temp 50°F
Germination 14–28 days
Days to Maturity 70–90 days
Frost Tolerance Moderate frost tolerance
Soil pH 6.0–7.0
Difficulty Easy
What you'll need — Zone 5
🛒 Parsley — Seeds & Supplies
  • 🌱 Flat-Leaf Parsley Seeds
  • 🌱 Herb Seed Starting Kit
  • 🌱 Indoor Herb Grow Light

Search for these at your local garden center or nursery.

Growing Tips

  • Parsley is biennial — it overwinters in most zones and comes back in spring before bolting.
  • Soak seeds overnight before planting to speed up notoriously slow germination.
  • Start indoors 8–10 weeks before transplanting.
  • Flat-leaf (Italian) parsley has more flavor than curly for cooking.
  • Cut outer stems at the base — never strip from the center.

Common Mistakes

  • Expecting fast germination — parsley can take 3–4 weeks. Be patient.
  • Not soaking seeds — significantly speeds up germination.
  • Harvesting from the center — always take outer stems to keep the plant productive.
  • Letting it go to seed in year 2 without harvesting — once it flowers, leaf production stops.

Companion Planting

Companion planting improves growth, deters pests, and makes better use of garden space.

✓ Good Companions

Tomato Asparagus

Parsley Schedule — All Zones

ZoneStart IndoorsTransplant Direct SowHarvest StartHarvest End
Zone 3 Apr 3 May 22 — Aug 21 Sep 12
Zone 4 Mar 29 May 17 — Aug 16 Sep 22
Zone 5 Mar 19 May 7 — Aug 6 Sep 25
Zone 6 Mar 4 Apr 22 — Jul 22 Sep 10
Zone 7 Feb 22 Apr 12 — Jul 12 Aug 31
Zone 8 Feb 6 Mar 27 — Jun 26 Aug 15
Zone 9 Jan 17 Mar 7 — Jun 6 Jul 26
Zone 10 Dec 30 Feb 17 — May 19 Jul 8
Zone 11 Dec 17 Jan 22 Jan 22 Apr 23 Jun 12

Other Zones for Parsley

Zone 3 · Zone 4 · Zone 6 · Zone 7 · Zone 8 · Zone 9 · Zone 10 · Zone 11

📚 Data Sources
Frost dates: NOAA Climate Normals 1991–2020, National Centers for Environmental Information.
Hardiness zones: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, Agricultural Research Service.
Growing requirements: Cooperative Extension Services — NC State, Penn State, University of Florida IFAS.
Companion planting: Cornell University Cooperative Extension.
Data compiled from public agricultural sources. Always verify with your local extension office for micro-climate adjustments.