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When to Plant Parsley in Ballard County, KY

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.

Ballard County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 203 days.

At an elevation of 2,452 feet, Ballard County receives approximately 54.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Parsley during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Parsley root diseases.

Ballard County, KY (Zone 6b) Long season
203 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
203 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Ballard County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 22 Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jul 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (84 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Aug 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 17

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Parsley needs ~1,120 GDD — county provides 3,248 GDD Excellent fit

Parsley Planting Timeline โ€” Ballard County, KY

Parsley Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 2 Mar 2 โ€“ Mar 16
Transplant Outdoors March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ Apr 13
Direct Sow March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 13
Fall Sowing August 17 Aug 17 โ€“ Aug 31
Harvest June 1 Jun 1 โ€“ Aug 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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 6b

Growing Season

203 days

Growing Tips for Ballard 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 Ballard County, KY?

Ballard County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ballard County, KY?

Ballard County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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