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When to Plant Parsley in Lauderdale County, AL

Parsley is a biennial herb available in flat-leaf (Italian) and curly varieties. It is a nutritional powerhouse rich in vitamins C and K and adds fresh flavor to countless dishes.

Lauderdale County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 200 days.

At an elevation of 75 feet, Lauderdale County receives approximately 51.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Parsley during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Parsley, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Parsley root diseases.

Lauderdale County, AL (Zone 7a) Long season
200 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
200 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Lauderdale County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (83 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jul 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Aug 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Aug 18

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Parsley needs ~1,225 GDD — county provides 3,500 GDD Excellent fit

Parsley Planting Timeline โ€” Lauderdale County, AL

Parsley Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 19
Transplant Outdoors April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 16
Direct Sow March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 16
Fall Sowing August 17 Aug 17 โ€“ Aug 31
Harvest June 4 Jun 4 โ€“ Aug 6

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“80 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

200 days

Growing Tips for Lauderdale County

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Soak seeds overnight as germination is slow. Harvest outer stems first to keep plants productive. Parsley attracts swallowtail butterflies.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Mint
  • Lettuce

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Parsley in Lauderdale County, AL?

Lauderdale County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lauderdale County, AL?

Lauderdale County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 26.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lauderdale County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Lauderdale County, AL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.