When to Plant Parsley in Morris County, NJ
Your May planting checklist for Morris County, New Jersey
Your garden in Morris County, New Jersey is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
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Indoor seed-starting week for parsley
Your window is short. These crops want several weeks of indoor growth before they go outside.
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Start harvesting parsley
Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.
A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
- 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.
Morris County, New Jersey is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 228 days.
At an elevation of 227 feet, Morris County receives approximately 40.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Parsley during the growing season.
Morris County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.1-6.5
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 Morris County
How your county's soil matches Parsley's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.1–6.5) is more acidic than Parsley prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Morris County is excellent for Parsley — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.8%). Annual compost additions will help Parsley.
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 Aug 24 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 03.
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 | — | 3.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 2.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 2.6" | 3.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 2.6" | 3.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 2.6" | 3.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.6" | 4.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.6" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.6" | 3.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.6" | 3.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.6" | 3.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | 2.6" | 3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Dec | — | 2.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Morris 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 — Morris County, NJ
Parsley Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 22 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Direct Sow | March 15 | Mar 15 – Apr 5 |
| Harvest | May 24 | May 24 – Jul 26 |
| Fall Sowing | September 3 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | — |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| 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: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6b
📆 Growing Season
228 days in Morris County
Growing Tips for Parsley in Morris County
Direct sow Parsley outdoors after March 29 in Morris 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 Morris County, NJ?
Morris County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of March 29. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Morris County, NJ?
Morris County, New Jersey is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is March 29 and first fall frost is November 12.
Your Morris County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Morris County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.