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When to Plant Parsley in DeKalb County, MO

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.

DeKalb County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 187 days.

At an elevation of 917 feet, DeKalb County receives approximately 39 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Parsley during the growing season.

DeKalb County, MO (Zone 5b) Moderate season
187 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
187 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

DeKalb County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Aug 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Aug 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 27

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 206 gal / 100 sq ft
Parsley needs ~1,068 GDD — county provides 2,851 GDD Excellent fit

Parsley Planting Timeline โ€” DeKalb County, MO

Parsley Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 10 Mar 10 โ€“ Mar 24
Transplant Outdoors April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 21
Direct Sow March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 21
Fall Sowing August 9 Aug 9 โ€“ Aug 23
Harvest June 9 Jun 9 โ€“ Aug 11

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 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

187 days

Growing Tips for DeKalb 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 DeKalb County, MO?

DeKalb County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is DeKalb County, MO?

DeKalb County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 18.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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