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When to Plant Parsley in Dodge 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.

Dodge County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 167 days.

At an elevation of 1,235 feet, Dodge County receives approximately 34 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.

Dodge County, WI (Zone 4b) Moderate season
167 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
167 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Dodge County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 1 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 9

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 794 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Parsley needs ~858 GDD — county provides 2,045 GDD Excellent fit

Parsley Planting Timeline โ€” Dodge County, WI

Parsley Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 16 Mar 16 โ€“ Mar 30
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 4
Direct Sow April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 11
Fall Sowing July 19 Jul 19 โ€“ Aug 2
Harvest June 22 Jun 22 โ€“ Aug 24

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

167 days

Growing Tips for Dodge 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 Dodge County, WI?

Dodge County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dodge County, WI?

Dodge County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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