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When to Plant Parsley in Lexington County, SC

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.

Lexington County, South Carolina is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 233 days.

At an elevation of 214 feet, Lexington County receives approximately 50.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Parsley during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Parsley will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Parsley root diseases.

Lexington County, SC (Zone 8a) Long season
233 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
233 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Lexington County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Mar 10 🍅 Harvest: May 12 – Jul 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (114 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 15 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jul 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 12

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
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Parsley needs ~1,278 GDD — county provides 4,252 GDD Excellent fit

Parsley Planting Timeline โ€” Lexington County, SC

Parsley Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 15 Feb 15 โ€“ Mar 1
Transplant Outdoors March 15 Mar 15 โ€“ Mar 29
Direct Sow March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 29
Fall Sowing September 1 Sep 1 โ€“ Sep 15
Harvest May 17 May 17 โ€“ Jul 19

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 โ€”
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 8a

Growing Season

233 days

Growing Tips for Lexington 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 Lexington County, SC?

Lexington County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lexington County, SC?

Lexington County, South Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 10.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lexington County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Lexington County, SC. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.