When to Plant Parsley in Johnston County, OK
What to do in May
A quick May briefing for Johnston County, Oklahoma gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.
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Start harvesting parsley
Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.
Looking ahead to 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.
Johnston County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 231 days.
At an elevation of 700 feet, Johnston County receives approximately 32.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Parsley during the growing season.
Johnston County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.3-7.3
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 Johnston County
How your county's soil matches Parsley's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.3–7.3) overlaps with Parsley's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Johnston County is excellent for Parsley — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.2%) — Parsley will thrive.
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 23 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 02.
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 | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 2.6" | 2.3" | 0.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Apr | 2.6" | 3.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 2.6" | 5.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.6" | 5.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.6" | 3.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.6" | 3.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.6" | 3.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.6" | 2.1" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 2.6" | 1" | 1.6" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Dec | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Johnston 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 — Johnston County, OK
Parsley Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 18 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 18 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Direct Sow | March 11 | Mar 11 – Apr 1 |
| Harvest | May 20 | May 20 – Jul 22 |
| Fall Sowing | September 2 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
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 · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
60–80 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8a
📆 Growing Season
231 days in Johnston County
Growing Tips for Parsley in Johnston County
Direct sow Parsley outdoors after March 25 in Johnston 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 Johnston County, OK?
Johnston County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 25. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Johnston County, OK?
Johnston County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 25 and first fall frost is November 11.
Your Johnston County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Johnston County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.