When to Plant Parsley in Mobile County, AL
Your May game plan for Mobile County, Alabama
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
-
Pick parsley
Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.
June will be here before you know it — start on
- First harvests: parsley
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.
Mobile County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 3 and the first fall frost is November 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 266 days.
At an elevation of 101 feet, Mobile County receives approximately 48.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 97°F, so Parsley may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Parsley will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.
Mobile County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Sandy Loam
Soil pH
4.8-6.1
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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.
Soil Compatibility in Mobile County
How your county's soil matches Parsley's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (4.8–6.1) is more acidic than Parsley prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
Sandy soil in Mobile County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Parsley will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Parsley.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Parsley.
How to Plant Parsley
Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Parsley
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 05 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 29.
Plant Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Parsley
Parsley needs approximately 0.6 inches of water per week (2.6" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Parsley Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 3.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 2.6" | 4.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 2.6" | 3.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 2.6" | 3.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.6" | 4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.6" | 5.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.6" | 4.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.6" | 3.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.6" | 3.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | 2.6" | 4.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Dec | — | 4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Mobile County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Parsley Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Parsley Planting Timeline — Mobile County, AL
Parsley Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 3 | Feb 3 – Feb 17 |
| Transplant Outdoors | February 24 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 |
| Direct Sow | February 10 | Feb 10 – Mar 3 |
| Harvest | April 28 | Apr 28 – Jun 30 |
| Fall Sowing | September 29 | Sep 29 – Oct 13 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| March | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | Fall Sowing |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
0.6"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
60–80 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 9a
📆 Growing Season
266 days in Mobile County
Growing Tips for Parsley in Mobile County
Direct sow Parsley outdoors after March 03 in Mobile County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Sandy soil in Mobile County dries quickly — mulch Parsley with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.
With summer highs reaching 97°F in Mobile County, provide afternoon shade for Parsley and water deeply in the morning.
Common pests for Parsley in this region include carrot rust fly and parsleyworm. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
General growing tips
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
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Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Parsley in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Parsley in Mobile County, AL?
Mobile County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 3. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Mobile County, AL?
Mobile County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 3 and first fall frost is November 24.
Your Mobile County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Mobile County (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.