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When to Plant Parsley in Cowlitz County, WA

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.

Cowlitz County, Washington is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 197 days.

At an elevation of 268 feet, Cowlitz County receives approximately 47.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Parsley during the growing season.

Cowlitz County, WA (Zone 8a) Moderate season
197 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
197 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Cowlitz County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Aug 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Sep 3

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Parsley needs ~1,068 GDD — county provides 3,004 GDD Excellent fit

Parsley Planting Timeline โ€” Cowlitz County, WA

Parsley Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Mar 25
Transplant Outdoors April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 22
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 22
Fall Sowing August 20 Aug 20 โ€“ Sep 3
Harvest June 10 Jun 10 โ€“ Aug 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
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

197 days

Growing Tips for Cowlitz 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 Cowlitz County, WA?

Cowlitz County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cowlitz County, WA?

Cowlitz County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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