When to plant parsley in zone 3b — planting calendar

Growing SeasonZone 3b

Last frost ~May 6First frost ~Oct 22Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOV

Start indoors Mar 11 · Sow May 20 · First harvest Jul 29 · Wrap by Oct 22

Last spring frostMay 6

Start seeds indoorsMar 11

Direct sowMay 20

First harvestJul 29

Last harvestOct 22

Fall succession sowAug 13

First fall frostOct 22

Why these dates work in zone 3b

Zone 3b's last spring frost averages May 6 and first fall frost Oct 22 — about 169 frost-free days. Parsley tolerates light frost, so you can sow ahead of the last-frost date and keep harvesting into the cooler fall. Starting seeds indoors 8 weeks ahead gives strong transplants ready the moment the soil warms. There's also room for a fall succession sowing around Aug 13 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does parsley take to grow in zone 3b?

Parsley matures in about 70–90 days from sowing. In zone 3b that means sowing around May 20 and first picking around Jul 29.

Will parsley survive frost in zone 3b?

Yes — parsley tolerates light frost. In zone 3b you can sow a little before the last frost (around May 6) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 22).

Can I plant a second crop of parsley in zone 3b?

Yes — in zone 3b there's time for a fall sowing around Aug 13 for a second harvest before frost.

For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full parsley growing guide →

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