When to plant parsley in zone 8a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 8A

Growing SeasonZone 8a

Last frost ~Mar 25First frost ~Nov 10Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

JANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCT

Start indoors Jan 28 · Sow Apr 8 · First harvest Jun 17 · Wrap by Oct 7

Last spring frostMar 25

Start seeds indoorsJan 28

Direct sowApr 8

First harvestJun 17

Last harvestOct 7

Fall succession sowSep 1

First fall frostNov 10

Why these dates work in zone 8a

Zone 8a's last spring frost averages Mar 25 and first fall frost Nov 10 — about 230 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 Sep 1 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does parsley take to grow in zone 8a?

Parsley matures in about 70–90 days from sowing. In zone 8a that means sowing around Apr 8 and first picking around Jun 17.

Will parsley survive frost in zone 8a?

Yes — parsley tolerates light frost. In zone 8a you can sow a little before the last frost (around Mar 25) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 10).

Can I plant a second crop of parsley in zone 8a?

Yes — in zone 8a there's time for a fall sowing around Sep 1 for a second harvest before frost.

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