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When to Plant Parsley in Cape May County, NJ

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.

Cape May County, New Jersey is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 227 days.

At an elevation of 928 feet, Cape May County receives approximately 44.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Parsley during the growing season.

Cape May County, NJ (Zone 7b) Long season
227 days
Last Spring Frost March 29
227 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Cape May County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jul 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 22 Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jul 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Aug 11

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 ~1,435 GDD — county provides 4,653 GDD Excellent fit

Parsley Planting Timeline โ€” Cape May County, NJ

Parsley Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 22 Feb 22 โ€“ Mar 8
Transplant Outdoors March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 5
Direct Sow March 15 Mar 15 โ€“ Apr 5
Fall Sowing September 2 Sep 2 โ€“ Sep 16
Harvest May 24 May 24 โ€“ Jul 26

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 โ€”
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 7b

Growing Season

227 days

Growing Tips for Cape May 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 Cape May County, NJ?

Cape May County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 29. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cape May County, NJ?

Cape May County, New Jersey is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 29 and first fall frost is November 11.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cape May County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Cape May County, NJ. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.