Parsley
What Plant Yet? knows about parsley, and where each number comes from. For today's answer, pick your town.
Planting numbers
- Frost category
- Semi-hardy Source: Colorado State University Extension
- Plant outdoors
- From 2 weeks before typical last frost up to the frost date Given for semi-hardy crops as a group. Source: Colorado State University Extension
- Start seeds indoors
- 6–8 weeks before typical last frost Source: University of Minnesota Extension
- Cover at or below
- 28°F Source: Oregon State University Extension
- Grows once daytime temperatures reach
- 40°F Given for semi-hardy crops as a group. Source: Colorado State University Extension
Left out because we found no university extension source for it: minimum night temperature, days to harvest. We don't estimate.
Growing tips
- Soak seed in warm water for up to 24 hours to speed slow germination. (University of Minnesota Extension)
- Harvest outer stalks first, snipping close to the ground. (University of Minnesota Extension)
- Plants keep producing into fall and handle light frosts. (University of Minnesota Extension)
- Water deeply at least once a week. (University of Minnesota Extension)
How the answer uses this
The planting window opens 2 weeks before typical last frost up to the frost date in your town. Inside the window the answer is Plant when the coldest of the next 7 nights stays above 28°F (no source gives a minimum night temperature, so the cold-damage temperature is used). Cover tonight shows when tonight's low is 28°F or colder while parsley is normally in the ground.
Sources
- Colorado State University Extension — checked Nov 11, 2026
- University of Minnesota Extension — checked Nov 11, 2026
- Oregon State University Extension — checked Nov 11, 2026
Guidance only. Extension advice is written for typical conditions; your soil, variety and microclimate matter.