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When to Plant Parsley in Jackson 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.

Jackson County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 142 days.

At an elevation of 608 feet, Jackson County receives approximately 35.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Parsley to ensure they mature before fall.

Jackson County, WI (Zone 4b) Short season
142 days
Last Spring Frost May 13
142 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2

Jackson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Sep 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (23 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 1 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (26 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 17

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Parsley needs ~910 GDD — county provides 1,846 GDD Excellent fit

Parsley Planting Timeline โ€” Jackson County, WI

Parsley Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 15
Transplant Outdoors May 6 May 6 โ€“ May 20
Direct Sow May 6 May 6 โ€“ May 27
Fall Sowing July 10 Jul 10 โ€“ Jul 24
Harvest July 8 Jul 8 โ€“ Sep 9

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 4b

Growing Season

142 days

Growing Tips for Jackson 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 Jackson County, WI?

Jackson County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 13. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jackson County, WI?

Jackson County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and first fall frost is October 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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