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When to Plant Parsley in Wabash 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.

Wabash County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 202 days.

At an elevation of 880 feet, Wabash County receives approximately 32.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Parsley during the growing season.

Wabash County, IL (Zone 6a) Long season
202 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
202 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Wabash County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (83 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (83 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Aug 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 19

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 568 gal / 100 sq ft
Parsley needs ~1,278 GDD — county provides 3,686 GDD Excellent fit

Parsley Planting Timeline โ€” Wabash County, IL

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 19 Aug 19 โ€“ Sep 2
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 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 6a

Growing Season

202 days

Growing Tips for Wabash 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 Wabash County, IL?

Wabash County is in Zone 6a 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 Wabash County, IL?

Wabash County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 28.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Wabash County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Wabash County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.