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When to Plant Parsley in Tazewell County, IL

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.

Tazewell County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost is October 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.

At an elevation of 1,006 feet, Tazewell County receives approximately 40 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Parsley during the growing season.

Tazewell County, IL (Zone 5b) Moderate season
179 days
Last Spring Frost April 19
179 growing days
First Fall Frost October 15

Tazewell County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.3-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Aug 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 30

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 98 gal / 100 sq ft
Parsley needs ~1,068 GDD — county provides 2,729 GDD Excellent fit

Parsley Planting Timeline โ€” Tazewell County, IL

Parsley Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 15 Mar 15 โ€“ Mar 29
Transplant Outdoors April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ Apr 26
Direct Sow April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 26
Fall Sowing August 6 Aug 6 โ€“ Aug 20
Harvest June 14 Jun 14 โ€“ Aug 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
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 5b

Growing Season

179 days

Growing Tips for Tazewell 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 Tazewell County, IL?

Tazewell County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 19. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Tazewell County, IL?

Tazewell County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and first fall frost is October 15.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Tazewell County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Tazewell County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.