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When to Plant Parsley in Mississippi 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.

Mississippi County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 210 days.

At an elevation of 1,274 feet, Mississippi County receives approximately 40 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Parsley during the growing season.

Mississippi County, MO (Zone 6b) Long season
210 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
210 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Mississippi County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jul 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (91 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Jul 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Aug 14

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
Parsley needs ~1,015 GDD — county provides 3,045 GDD Excellent fit

Parsley Planting Timeline โ€” Mississippi County, MO

Parsley Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 25 Feb 25 โ€“ Mar 11
Transplant Outdoors March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 8
Direct Sow March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 8
Fall Sowing August 19 Aug 19 โ€“ Sep 2
Harvest May 27 May 27 โ€“ Jul 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
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 6b

Growing Season

210 days

Growing Tips for Mississippi 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 Mississippi County, MO?

Mississippi County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 1. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Mississippi County, MO?

Mississippi County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 1 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 Mississippi 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 Mississippi County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.