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When to Plant Parsley in Oliver County, ND

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.

Oliver County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is September 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 135 days.

At an elevation of 721 feet, Oliver County receives approximately 21.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Parsley to ensure they mature before fall.

Oliver County, ND (Zone 4a) Short season
135 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
135 growing days
First Fall Frost September 26

Oliver County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Sep 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (16 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 17 Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 25

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 495 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Parsley needs ~700 GDD — county provides 1,350 GDD Excellent fit

Parsley Planting Timeline โ€” Oliver County, ND

Parsley Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 16
Transplant Outdoors May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 21
Direct Sow May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 28
Fall Sowing July 4 Jul 4 โ€“ Jul 18
Harvest July 9 Jul 9 โ€“ Sep 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 4a

Growing Season

135 days

Growing Tips for Oliver 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 Oliver County, ND?

Oliver County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Oliver County, ND?

Oliver County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is September 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Oliver County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Oliver County, ND. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.