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When to Plant Parsley in Pulaski County, KY

Pulaski County, Kentucky Zone 7a May

This month in Pulaski County, Kentucky

Here's what deserves your attention in Pulaski County, Kentucky this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 7a and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost April 18
Avg. first frost October 22
Soil temp (4") 56°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14 hrs
  1. Indoor seed-starting week for parsley

    You're about 24 weeks out from your last frost — the perfect window to get these germinating indoors.

Looking ahead to June
  • First harvests: parsley

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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.

Pulaski County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 187 days.

At an elevation of 3,004 feet, Pulaski County receives approximately 54.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Parsley during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Parsley root diseases.

Pulaski County, KY (Zone 7a) Moderate season
187 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
187 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22
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Pulaski County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (70 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Aug 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Aug 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 31

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 Pulaski County

How your county's soil matches Parsley's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–7.1) overlaps with Parsley's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Pulaski County is excellent for Parsley — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Parsley.

How to Plant Parsley

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Parsley

3
successive plantings in your 187-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 03 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 13.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.6″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

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 5.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 5.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.6" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.6" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.6" 5.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.6" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.6" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.6" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.6" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Pulaski 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 needs ~1,120 GDD — county provides 2,992 GDD Excellent fit

Parsley Planting Timeline — Pulaski County, KY

Parsley Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 14 Mar 14 – Mar 28
Transplant Outdoors April 11 Apr 11 – Apr 25
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 – Apr 25
Harvest June 13 Jun 13 – Aug 15
Fall Sowing August 13 Aug 13 – Aug 27

Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September
October
November
December
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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 7a

📆 Growing Season

187 days in Pulaski County

Growing Tips for Parsley in Pulaski County

Direct sow Parsley outdoors after April 18 in Pulaski 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

  • Mint
  • Lettuce

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Parsley in Pulaski County, KY?

Pulaski County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pulaski County, KY?

Pulaski County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 22.

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Your Pulaski County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Pulaski County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Pulaski County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.