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When to Plant Parsley in Cherokee County, TX

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.

Cherokee County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 6 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 255 days.

At an elevation of 339 feet, Cherokee County receives approximately 68.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, so Parsley may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. 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.

Cherokee County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
255 days
Last Spring Frost March 6
255 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

Cherokee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (139 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 23 Transplant: Feb 20 🍅 Harvest: Apr 24 – Jun 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (136 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Feb 27 🍅 Harvest: May 1 – Jul 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (135 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jul 21

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Parsley needs ~1,488 GDD — county provides 5,418 GDD Excellent fit

Parsley Planting Timeline โ€” Cherokee County, TX

Parsley Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 30 Jan 30 โ€“ Feb 13
Transplant Outdoors February 27 Feb 27 โ€“ Mar 13
Direct Sow February 20 Feb 20 โ€“ Mar 13
Fall Sowing September 7 Sep 7 โ€“ Sep 21
Harvest May 1 May 1 โ€“ Jul 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March 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

255 days

Growing Tips for Cherokee 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 Cherokee County, TX?

Cherokee County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 6. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cherokee County, TX?

Cherokee County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 6 and first fall frost is November 16.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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