When to plant parsley in zone 5a — planting calendar

Not your zone?

Showing USDA Zone 5A

Growing SeasonZone 5a

Last frost ~May 10First frost ~Oct 1Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCT

Start indoors Mar 15 · Sow May 24 · First harvest Aug 2 · Wrap by Oct 1

Last spring frostMay 10

Start seeds indoorsMar 15

Direct sowMay 24

First harvestAug 2

Last harvestOct 1

Fall succession sowJul 23

First fall frostOct 1

Why these dates work in zone 5a

Zone 5a's last spring frost averages May 10 and first fall frost Oct 1 — about 144 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 Jul 23 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does parsley take to grow in zone 5a?

Parsley matures in about 70–90 days from sowing. In zone 5a that means sowing around May 24 and first picking around Aug 2.

Will parsley survive frost in zone 5a?

Yes — parsley tolerates light frost. In zone 5a you can sow a little before the last frost (around May 10) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 1).

Can I plant a second crop of parsley in zone 5a?

Yes — in zone 5a there's time for a fall sowing around Jul 23 for a second harvest before frost.

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