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When to Plant Parsley in Collin County, TX

Collin County, Texas Zone 8b May

May to-do list for Collin County, Texas

Each item below is timed to Collin County, Texas's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost March 10
Avg. first frost November 20
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.7 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for parsley

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

Before June arrives, get these ready
  • First harvests: parsley

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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.

Collin County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 10 and the first fall frost is November 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 255 days.

At an elevation of 103 feet, Collin County receives approximately 65.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Parsley during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Parsley, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Parsley root diseases.

Collin County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
255 days
Last Spring Frost March 10
255 growing days
First Fall Frost November 20
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Collin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

7.3-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (135 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 26 Transplant: Feb 23 🍅 Harvest: Apr 27 – Jun 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (136 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 3 Transplant: Mar 3 🍅 Harvest: May 5 – Jul 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (121 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Aug 8

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 Collin County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.3–7.8) is more alkaline than Parsley prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Heavy clay soil (43% clay) in Collin County compacts easily and drains slowly. Amend with compost and avoid working soil when wet.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). Annual compost additions will help Parsley.

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

5
successive plantings in your 255-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 01 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 11.

Plant Water Budget

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

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 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.6" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.6" 6.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.6" 10.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.6" 9.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.6" 7.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.6" 8.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.6" 6.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.6" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.6" 2.2" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Dec 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Collin 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 needs ~1,435 GDD — county provides 5,227 GDD Excellent fit

Parsley Planting Timeline — Collin County, TX

Parsley Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 3 Feb 3 – Feb 17
Transplant Outdoors March 3 Mar 3 – Mar 17
Direct Sow February 24 Feb 24 – Mar 17
Harvest May 5 May 5 – Jul 7
Fall Sowing September 11 Sep 11 – Sep 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

255 days in Collin County

Growing Tips for Parsley in Collin County

Direct sow Parsley outdoors after March 10 in Collin County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Collin County's clay soil (43% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Parsley. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

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 Collin County, TX?

Collin County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 10. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Collin County, TX?

Collin County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 10 and first fall frost is November 20.

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Your Collin County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Collin County (Zone 8b). 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 Collin County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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