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When to Plant Parsley in Howard County, NE

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.

Howard County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 162 days.

At an elevation of 844 feet, Howard County receives approximately 20.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Parsley to ensure they mature before fall.

Howard County, NE (Zone 5b) Moderate season
162 days
Last Spring Frost April 28
162 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Howard County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Parsley Planting Timeline — Howard County, NE

Parsley Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 24 Mar 24 – Apr 7
Transplant Outdoors April 21 Apr 21 – May 5
Direct Sow April 14 Apr 14 – May 5
Harvest June 23 Jun 23 – Aug 25
Fall Sowing July 29 Jul 29 – Aug 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

60–80 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

162 days in Howard County

Growing Tips for Howard 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Parsley in Howard County, NE?

Howard County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 28. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Howard County, NE?

Howard County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 28 and first fall frost is October 7.

🌱

Your Howard County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Howard 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.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Howard County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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