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When to Plant Parsley in Franklin 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.

Franklin County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 18 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 238 days.

At an elevation of 324 feet, Franklin County receives approximately 60 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 97Β°F, so Parsley may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring β€” great for early planting β€” 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.

Franklin County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
238 days
Last Spring Frost March 18
238 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Franklin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Parsley

Parsley needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Parsley Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan β€” 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb β€” 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" πŸ’§ Light watering
Apr 4.3" 5.6" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 7.9" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 9.9" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 8.3" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 7.1" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 6" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" πŸ’§ Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.3" 2" πŸ’§ Light watering
Dec β€” 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Franklin County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall β€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Parsley Planting Timeline β€” Franklin County, TX

Parsley Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 11 Feb 11 – Feb 25
Transplant Outdoors March 11 Mar 11 – Mar 25
Direct Sow March 4 Mar 4 – Mar 25
Harvest May 13 May 13 – Jul 15
Fall Sowing September 2 Sep 2 – Sep 16

Plant 0.5" deep Β· 8" apart Β· Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January β€”
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April β€”
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August β€”
September Fall Sowing
October β€”
November β€”
December β€”

Growing Conditions

β˜€οΈ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

πŸ’§ Water

Moderate β€” regular watering

πŸ“… Days to Maturity

60–80 days

πŸ§ͺ Soil pH

Needs 6–7 Β· Your soil: N/A

πŸ—ΊοΈ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

πŸ“† Growing Season

238 days in Franklin County

Growing Tips for Franklin 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Parsley in Franklin County, TX?

Franklin County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 18. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date β€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Franklin County, TX?

Franklin County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 18 and first fall frost is November 11.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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