When to Plant Parsley in Newaygo County, MI
Your May game plan for Newaygo County, Michigan
Welcome to May in Zone 5b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
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Get parsley in the ground
Plant tomatoes deep — bury the stem up to the first true leaves to grow extra roots. Everything else goes in at the same depth it grew in the tray.
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Plant parsley from seed, right in the garden
Mark the row. Birds and stray feet both have opinions about unmarked beds.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- Starting indoors: 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.
Newaygo County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 142 days.
At an elevation of 592 feet, Newaygo County receives approximately 38.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Parsley during the growing season.
Newaygo County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.8-6.9
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 Newaygo County
How your county's soil matches Parsley's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.8–6.9) overlaps with Parsley's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Newaygo County is excellent for Parsley — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Parsley.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.9%) — 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 17 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 27.
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 | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 3.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 2.6" | 4.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.6" | 4.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.6" | 4.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.6" | 3.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.6" | 3.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.6" | 3.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 2.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Newaygo 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 — Newaygo County, MI
Parsley Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 11 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 9 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Direct Sow | May 2 | May 2 – May 23 |
| Harvest | July 11 | Jul 11 – Sep 12 |
| Fall Sowing | July 27 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| 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 5b
📆 Growing Season
142 days in Newaygo County
Growing Tips for Parsley in Newaygo County
Direct sow Parsley outdoors after May 16 in Newaygo 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 Newaygo County, MI?
Newaygo County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 16. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Newaygo County, MI?
Newaygo County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 16 and first fall frost is October 5.
Your Newaygo County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Newaygo County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.