Blog

When to Plant Parsley in Barron County, WI

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.

Barron County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost is September 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 131 days.

At an elevation of 1,256 feet, Barron County receives approximately 40.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Parsley to ensure they mature before fall.

Barron County, WI (Zone 4a) Short season
131 days
Last Spring Frost May 17
131 growing days
First Fall Frost September 25

Barron County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (4 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 5 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Sep 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (11 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 20 Transplant: May 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Sep 28

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
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Parsley needs ~858 GDD — county provides 1,604 GDD Excellent fit

Parsley Planting Timeline โ€” Barron County, WI

Parsley Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 19
Transplant Outdoors May 10 May 10 โ€“ May 24
Direct Sow May 10 May 10 โ€“ May 31
Fall Sowing July 3 Jul 3 โ€“ Jul 17
Harvest July 12 Jul 12 โ€“ Sep 13

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
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 4a

Growing Season

131 days

Growing Tips for Barron 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 Barron County, WI?

Barron County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 17. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Barron County, WI?

Barron County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 17 and first fall frost is September 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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