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When to Plant Parsley in Jackson County, OH

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.

Jackson County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 184 days.

At an elevation of 831 feet, Jackson County receives approximately 31.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Parsley during the growing season.

Jackson County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
184 days
Last Spring Frost April 21
184 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Jackson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Aug 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Aug 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 1 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Sep 2

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 Jackson County

How your county's soil matches Parsley's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2โ€“6.8) is within Parsley's preferred range (6.0โ€“7.0).

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Jackson County is excellent for Parsley โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.1%) โ€” Parsley will thrive.

How to Plant Parsley

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Parsley

3
successive plantings in your 184-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 03 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 13.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.6″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” 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 โ€” 1.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 2.6" 3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 2.6" 3.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.6" 4.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.6" 3.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.6" 3.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.6" 2.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.6" 2.3" 0.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 1.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Jackson County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” 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" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF 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 needs ~1,225 GDD — county provides 3,220 GDD Excellent fit

Parsley Planting Timeline โ€” Jackson County, OH

Parsley Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 17 Mar 17 โ€“ Mar 31
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ Apr 28
Direct Sow April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 28
Harvest June 16 Jun 16 โ€“ Aug 18
Fall Sowing August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Aug 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.6"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“80 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

184 days in Jackson County

Growing Tips for Parsley in Jackson County

Direct sow Parsley outdoors after April 21 in Jackson 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

  • Mint
  • Lettuce

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Parsley in Jackson County, OH?

Jackson County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jackson County, OH?

Jackson County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Jackson County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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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 Jackson County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.