When to Plant Parsley in Burleigh County, ND
May in the garden — Burleigh County, North Dakota
Here's what deserves your attention in Burleigh County, North Dakota this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 4a and timed around your local frost dates.
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Set out parsley seedlings
Frost risk is low now in Burleigh County, North Dakota. If you've been covering beds overnight, you can stop.
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Sow parsley where they'll grow
Succession planting is the secret here. Put in a row now, another in 2 weeks, a third in 4.
June prep starts now
- 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.
Burleigh County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is September 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 138 days.
At an elevation of 1,102 feet, Burleigh County receives approximately 23.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Parsley to ensure they mature before fall.
Burleigh County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.7-7.3
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 Burleigh County
How your county's soil matches Parsley's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.7–7.3) overlaps with Parsley's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Burleigh 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 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Parsley
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 09 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 05.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
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 | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 2.6" | 3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.6" | 1.5" | 1.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 2.6" | 1.8" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 2.6" | 2.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.6" | 1.9" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Burleigh 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 — Burleigh County, ND
Parsley Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 31 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 5 | May 5 – May 19 |
| Direct Sow | May 5 | May 5 – May 26 |
| Harvest | July 7 | Jul 7 – Sep 8 |
| Fall Sowing | July 5 | Jul 5 – Jul 19 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | 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 4a
📆 Growing Season
138 days in Burleigh County
Growing Tips for Parsley in Burleigh County
Direct sow Parsley outdoors after May 12 in Burleigh 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 Burleigh County, ND?
Burleigh County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Burleigh County, ND?
Burleigh County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is September 27.
Your Burleigh County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Burleigh County (Zone 4a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.