Blog

When to Plant Parsley in Barrow County, GA

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.

Barrow County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 235 days.

At an elevation of 438 feet, Barrow County receives approximately 60.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, 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.

Barrow County, GA (Zone 7b) Long season
235 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
235 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

Barrow County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (116 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Mar 7 🍅 Harvest: May 9 – Jul 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (116 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Mar 16 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jul 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (115 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Aug 7

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 Barrow County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3โ€“6.7) overlaps with Parsley's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Barrow County is excellent for Parsley โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). Annual compost additions will help 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

4
successive plantings in your 235-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 25 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 04.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.6″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/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€” 4.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 5.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 2.6" 6.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.6" 4.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 2.6" 5.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.6" 5.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.6" 6.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.6" 5.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.6" 4.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.6" 3.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.6" 5.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Dec โ€” 4.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Barrow 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 ~1,382 GDD — county provides 4,641 GDD Excellent fit

Parsley Planting Timeline โ€” Barrow County, GA

Parsley Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors March 16 Mar 16 โ€“ Mar 30
Direct Sow March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 30
Harvest May 18 May 18 โ€“ Jul 20
Fall Sowing September 4 Sep 4 โ€“ Sep 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors 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: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

235 days in Barrow County

Growing Tips for Parsley in Barrow County

Direct sow Parsley outdoors after March 23 in Barrow County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Barrow County's clay soil (33% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Parsley. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

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 Barrow County, GA?

Barrow County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Barrow County, GA?

Barrow County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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