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When to Plant Parsley in New Madrid 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.

New Madrid County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is March 30 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 217 days.

At an elevation of 881 feet, New Madrid County receives approximately 39.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Parsley during the growing season.

New Madrid County, MO (Zone 6b) Long season
217 days
Last Spring Frost March 30
217 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

New Madrid County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (99 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Mar 16 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jul 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Jul 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 13

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
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 459 gal / 100 sq ft
Parsley needs ~1,120 GDD — county provides 3,472 GDD Excellent fit

Parsley Planting Timeline โ€” New Madrid County, MO

Parsley Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 23 Feb 23 โ€“ Mar 9
Transplant Outdoors March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 6
Direct Sow March 16 Mar 16 โ€“ Apr 6
Fall Sowing August 24 Aug 24 โ€“ Sep 7
Harvest May 25 May 25 โ€“ Jul 27

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

217 days

Growing Tips for New Madrid 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 New Madrid County, MO?

New Madrid County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of March 30. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is New Madrid County, MO?

New Madrid County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is March 30 and first fall frost is November 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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