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When to Plant Parsley in Johnson 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.

Johnson County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 166 days.

At an elevation of 658 feet, Johnson County receives approximately 21.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Parsley during the growing season.

Johnson County, NE (Zone 5b) Moderate season
166 days
Last Spring Frost April 24
166 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Johnson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Parsley

Parsley needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Parsley Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Johnson County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Parsley Planting Timeline — Johnson County, NE

Parsley Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 20 Mar 20 – Apr 3
Transplant Outdoors April 17 Apr 17 – May 1
Direct Sow April 10 Apr 10 – May 1
Harvest June 19 Jun 19 – Aug 21
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

166 days in Johnson County

Growing Tips for Johnson 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 Johnson County, NE?

Johnson County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Johnson County, NE?

Johnson County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 7.

🌱

Your Johnson County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Johnson 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.

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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 Johnson County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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