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When to Plant Parsley in Rusk 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.

Rusk County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost is September 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 135 days.

At an elevation of 1,112 feet, Rusk County receives approximately 38.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Parsley to ensure they mature before fall.

Rusk County, WI (Zone 4a) Short season
135 days
Last Spring Frost May 16
135 growing days
First Fall Frost September 28

Rusk County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Sep 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (16 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Sep 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (14 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 17 Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 25

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Parsley needs ~700 GDD — county provides 1,350 GDD Excellent fit

Parsley Planting Timeline โ€” Rusk County, WI

Parsley Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 18
Transplant Outdoors May 9 May 9 โ€“ May 23
Direct Sow May 9 May 9 โ€“ May 30
Fall Sowing July 6 Jul 6 โ€“ Jul 20
Harvest July 11 Jul 11 โ€“ Sep 12

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

135 days

Growing Tips for Rusk 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 Rusk County, WI?

Rusk County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 16. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Rusk County, WI?

Rusk County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 16 and first fall frost is September 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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