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When to Plant Parsley in Providence County, RI

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.

Providence County, Rhode Island is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 180 days.

At an elevation of 1,199 feet, Providence County receives approximately 50 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Parsley during the growing season.

Providence County, RI (Zone 6a) Moderate season
180 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
180 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Providence County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 9

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Parsley needs ~1,068 GDD — county provides 2,745 GDD Excellent fit

Parsley Planting Timeline โ€” Providence County, RI

Parsley Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Apr 30
Direct Sow April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 30
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 โ€“ Aug 25
Harvest June 18 Jun 18 โ€“ Aug 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors 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 6a

Growing Season

180 days

Growing Tips for Providence 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 Providence County, RI?

Providence County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Providence County, RI?

Providence County, Rhode Island is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Providence County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Providence County, RI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.