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When to Plant Parsley in Chatham 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.

Chatham County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and the first fall frost is November 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 263 days.

At an elevation of 398 feet, Chatham County receives approximately 51.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Parsley during the growing season. 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. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Parsley root diseases.

Chatham County, GA (Zone 8b) Long season
263 days
Last Spring Frost March 5
263 growing days
First Fall Frost November 23

Chatham County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5-6.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (150 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 16 Transplant: Feb 13 🍅 Harvest: Apr 17 – Jun 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (144 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Feb 26 🍅 Harvest: Apr 30 – Jul 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (146 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jul 21

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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Parsley needs ~1,278 GDD — county provides 4,799 GDD Excellent fit

Parsley Planting Timeline โ€” Chatham County, GA

Parsley Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 29 Jan 29 โ€“ Feb 12
Transplant Outdoors February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 12
Direct Sow February 19 Feb 19 โ€“ Mar 12
Fall Sowing September 14 Sep 14 โ€“ Sep 28
Harvest April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ Jul 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
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 8b

Growing Season

263 days

Growing Tips for Chatham 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 Chatham County, GA?

Chatham County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 5. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Chatham County, GA?

Chatham County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and first fall frost is November 23.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Chatham County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Chatham County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.