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When to Plant Parsley in Hancock County, MS

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.

Hancock County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 4 and the first fall frost is November 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 268 days.

At an elevation of 373 feet, Hancock County receives approximately 50.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, 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.

Hancock County, MS (Zone 8b) Long season
268 days
Last Spring Frost March 4
268 growing days
First Fall Frost November 27

Hancock County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (152 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 14 Transplant: Feb 11 🍅 Harvest: Apr 15 – Jun 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (149 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 28 Transplant: Feb 25 🍅 Harvest: Apr 29 – Jul 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (149 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
Drought risk

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

Parsley needs ~1,435 GDD — county provides 5,494 GDD Excellent fit

Parsley Planting Timeline โ€” Hancock County, MS

Parsley Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 28 Jan 28 โ€“ Feb 11
Transplant Outdoors February 25 Feb 25 โ€“ Mar 11
Direct Sow February 18 Feb 18 โ€“ Mar 11
Fall Sowing September 18 Sep 18 โ€“ Oct 2
Harvest April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ Jul 1

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 Fall Sowing
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

268 days

Growing Tips for Hancock 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 Hancock County, MS?

Hancock County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 4. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hancock County, MS?

Hancock County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 4 and first fall frost is November 27.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Hancock 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 Hancock County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.