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When to Plant Parsley in Ellis County, TX

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.

Ellis County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 9 and the first fall frost is November 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 256 days.

At an elevation of 167 feet, Ellis County receives approximately 56.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 93°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.

Ellis County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
256 days
Last Spring Frost March 9
256 growing days
First Fall Frost November 20

Ellis County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

6.7-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Parsley

Parsley needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Parsley Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 6.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 7.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 10.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 6.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 7.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Ellis County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Parsley Planting Timeline — Ellis County, TX

Parsley Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 2 Feb 2 – Feb 16
Transplant Outdoors March 2 Mar 2 – Mar 16
Direct Sow February 23 Feb 23 – Mar 16
Harvest May 4 May 4 – Jul 6
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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

60–80 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

256 days in Ellis County

Growing Tips for Ellis County

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 Ellis County, TX?

Ellis County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 9. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ellis County, TX?

Ellis County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 9 and first fall frost is November 20.

🌱

Your Ellis County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Ellis 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 Ellis County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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