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When to Plant Parsley in Wakulla County, FL

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.

Wakulla County, Florida is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 13 and the first fall frost is November 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 254 days.

At an elevation of 375 feet, Wakulla County receives approximately 48.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, so Parsley may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Parsley will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Wakulla County, FL (Zone 8b) Long season
254 days
Last Spring Frost March 13
254 growing days
First Fall Frost November 22

Wakulla County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.9-5.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (131 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Feb 27 🍅 Harvest: May 1 – Jul 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (135 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jul 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (128 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Aug 4

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.

Soil Compatibility in Wakulla County

How your county's soil matches Parsley's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (4.9โ€“5.9) is more acidic than Parsley prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Wakulla County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Parsley will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Parsley.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.3%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Parsley.

How to Plant Parsley

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Parsley

5
successive plantings in your 254-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 03 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 13.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.6″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Parsley

Parsley needs approximately 0.6 inches of water per week (2.6" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Parsley Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 2.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 2.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 2.6" 2.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.6" 2.3" 0.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 2.6" 3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.6" 7.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.6" 6.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.6" 7.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.6" 6.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.6" 4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.6" 1.8" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Dec โ€” 2.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Wakulla County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Parsley Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Parsley needs ~1,488 GDD — county provides 5,397 GDD Excellent fit

Parsley Planting Timeline โ€” Wakulla County, FL

Parsley Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 6 Feb 6 โ€“ Feb 20
Transplant Outdoors March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 20
Direct Sow February 27 Feb 27 โ€“ Mar 20
Harvest May 8 May 8 โ€“ Jul 10
Fall Sowing September 13 Sep 13 โ€“ Sep 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.6"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“80 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_acidic

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

254 days in Wakulla County

Growing Tips for Parsley in Wakulla County

Direct sow Parsley outdoors after March 13 in Wakulla County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Wakulla County dries quickly โ€” mulch Parsley with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

Common pests for Parsley in this region include carrot rust fly and parsleyworm. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Parsley in Wakulla County, FL?

Wakulla County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 13. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wakulla County, FL?

Wakulla County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 13 and first fall frost is November 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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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 Wakulla County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.