When to Plant Parsley in Carroll County, IL
May in the garden — Carroll County, Illinois
May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Carroll County, Illinois.
-
Start parsley under lights
These need a head start before your last frost (April 22). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- 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.
Carroll County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.
At an elevation of 778 feet, Carroll County receives approximately 39.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Parsley to ensure they mature before fall.
Carroll County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.9-6.8
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 Carroll County
How your county's soil matches Parsley's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.9–6.8) overlaps with Parsley's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Carroll County is excellent for Parsley — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.8%) — Parsley will thrive.
How to Plant Parsley
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Parsley
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 25 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 04.
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 | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 2.6" | 4.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 2.6" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.6" | 5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.6" | 4.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.6" | 4.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.6" | 3.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.6" | 3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Carroll 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 — Carroll County, IL
Parsley Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 18 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 15 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Direct Sow | April 8 | Apr 8 – Apr 29 |
| Harvest | June 17 | Jun 17 – Aug 19 |
| Fall Sowing | August 4 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | — |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| 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: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5a
📆 Growing Season
174 days in Carroll County
Growing Tips for Parsley in Carroll County
Direct sow Parsley outdoors after April 22 in Carroll County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
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
Avoid Planting Near
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Parsley in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Parsley in Carroll County, IL?
Carroll County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Carroll County, IL?
Carroll County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 13.
Your Carroll County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Carroll County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.