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When to Plant Parsley in Scott County, MN

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.

Scott County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 168 days.

At an elevation of 1,105 feet, Scott County receives approximately 39.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Parsley to ensure they mature before fall.

Scott County, MN (Zone 4a) Moderate season
168 days
Last Spring Frost April 24
168 growing days
First Fall Frost October 9

Scott County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (50 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Aug 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 1 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 9

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 7 gal / 100 sq ft
Parsley needs ~700 GDD — county provides 1,680 GDD Excellent fit

Parsley Planting Timeline โ€” Scott County, MN

Parsley Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Mar 27
Transplant Outdoors April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 1
Direct Sow April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 8
Fall Sowing July 17 Jul 17 โ€“ Jul 31
Harvest June 19 Jun 19 โ€“ Aug 21

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 Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August 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 4a

Growing Season

168 days

Growing Tips for Scott 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 Scott County, MN?

Scott County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Scott County, MN?

Scott County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Scott County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Scott County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.