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When to Plant Parsley in Wilson 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.

Wilson County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 4 and the first fall frost is November 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 266 days.

At an elevation of 2,660 feet, Wilson County receives approximately 62.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Parsley during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Parsley root diseases.

Wilson County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
266 days
Last Spring Frost March 4
266 growing days
First Fall Frost November 25

Wilson 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 (149 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 16 Transplant: Feb 13 🍅 Harvest: Apr 17 – Jun 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (147 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 28 Transplant: Feb 25 🍅 Harvest: Apr 29 – Jul 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (138 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Jul 27

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.

Soil Compatibility in Wilson County

How your county's soil matches Parsley's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5โ€“7.4) overlaps with Parsley's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Wilson County is excellent for Parsley โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Parsley.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Parsley.

How to Plant Parsley

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Parsley

5
successive plantings in your 266-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 06 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 16.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.6″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/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

Monthly Watering Guide for Parsley

Parsley needs approximately 0.6 inches of water per week (2.6" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Parsley Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 2.6" 4.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.6" 5.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 2.6" 9.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.6" 10.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.6" 8.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.6" 7.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.6" 5.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.6" 3.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.6" 2.1" 0.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Dec โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Wilson County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Parsley Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Parsley needs ~1,382 GDD — county provides 5,253 GDD Excellent fit

Parsley Planting Timeline โ€” Wilson County, TX

Parsley Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 28 Jan 28 โ€“ Feb 11
Transplant Outdoors February 25 Feb 25 โ€“ Mar 11
Direct Sow February 18 Feb 18 โ€“ Mar 11
Harvest April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ Jul 1
Fall Sowing September 16 Sep 16 โ€“ Sep 30

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 Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.6"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“80 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

266 days in Wilson County

Growing Tips for Parsley in Wilson County

Direct sow Parsley outdoors after March 04 in Wilson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Parsley in this region include carrot rust fly and parsleyworm. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Wilson County, TX?

Wilson County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 4. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wilson County, TX?

Wilson County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 4 and first fall frost is November 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Wilson County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Wilson County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.