Blog

When to Plant Parsley in Garfield 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.

Garfield County, Washington is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 144 days.

At an elevation of 3,226 feet, Garfield County receives approximately 17.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Parsley during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Parsley successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Garfield County, WA (Zone 6a) Short season
144 days
Last Spring Frost May 9
144 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Garfield County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Sep 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (18 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 2 Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Oct 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
0.5″/week
You supply
1.0″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,214 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Parsley needs ~1,120 GDD — county provides 2,304 GDD Excellent fit

Parsley Planting Timeline โ€” Garfield County, WA

Parsley Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 18
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 16
Direct Sow April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 16
Fall Sowing July 22 Jul 22 โ€“ Aug 5
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 โ€”
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Fall Sowing 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 6a

Growing Season

144 days

Growing Tips for Garfield 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 Garfield County, WA?

Garfield County is in Zone 6a 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 Garfield County, WA?

Garfield County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 9 and first fall frost is September 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Garfield County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Garfield County, WA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.