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When to Plant Parsley in Rutland County, VT

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.

Rutland County, Vermont is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 151 days.

At an elevation of 477 feet, Rutland County receives approximately 41.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Parsley to ensure they mature before fall.

Rutland County, VT (Zone 4b) Moderate season
151 days
Last Spring Frost May 9
151 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Rutland County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (34 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Sep 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (34 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 16

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 ~752 GDD — county provides 1,623 GDD Excellent fit

Parsley Planting Timeline โ€” Rutland County, VT

Parsley Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 11
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 16
Direct Sow May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 23
Fall Sowing July 15 Jul 15 โ€“ Jul 29
Harvest July 4 Jul 4 โ€“ Sep 5

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
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 4b

Growing Season

151 days

Growing Tips for Rutland 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 Rutland County, VT?

Rutland County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 9. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Rutland County, VT?

Rutland County, Vermont is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 9 and first fall frost is October 7.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Rutland County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Rutland County, VT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.