When to plant parsley in zone 5b — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 5B

Growing SeasonZone 5b

Last frost ~May 15First frost ~Sep 30Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCT

Start indoors Mar 20 · Sow May 29 · First harvest Aug 7 · Wrap by Sep 30

Last spring frostMay 15

Start seeds indoorsMar 20

Direct sowMay 29

First harvestAug 7

Last harvestSep 30

Fall succession sowJul 22

First fall frostSep 30

Why these dates work in zone 5b

Zone 5b's last spring frost averages May 15 and first fall frost Sep 30 — about 138 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 22 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

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

Parsley matures in about 70–90 days from sowing. In zone 5b that means sowing around May 29 and first picking around Aug 7.

Will parsley survive frost in zone 5b?

Yes — parsley tolerates light frost. In zone 5b you can sow a little before the last frost (around May 15) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Sep 30).

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

Yes — in zone 5b there's time for a fall sowing around Jul 22 for a second harvest before frost.

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