When to Plant Parsley in Franklin County, VA
Your May game plan for Franklin County, Virginia
Your garden in Franklin County, Virginia is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
-
Start parsley indoors
Give them 6–8 weeks indoors before the last frost and you'll transplant into warm soil with seedlings that are already leaping.
June will be here before you know it — start on
- 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.
Franklin County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 188 days.
At an elevation of 494 feet, Franklin County receives approximately 47 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Parsley during the growing season.
Franklin County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.3-7.1
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 Franklin County
How your county's soil matches Parsley's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.3–7.1) overlaps with Parsley's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Franklin County is excellent for Parsley — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Parsley.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.1%). Annual compost additions will help Parsley.
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 05 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 15.
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 | — | 3.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 4.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 4.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 2.6" | 4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 2.6" | 4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.6" | 4.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.6" | 5.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.6" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.6" | 3.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.6" | 2.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 3.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Franklin 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 — Franklin County, VA
Parsley Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 15 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 12 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 |
| Direct Sow | April 5 | Apr 5 – Apr 26 |
| Harvest | June 14 | Jun 14 – Aug 16 |
| Fall Sowing | August 15 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | — |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | — |
| 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 7b
📆 Growing Season
188 days in Franklin County
Growing Tips for Parsley in Franklin County
Direct sow Parsley outdoors after April 19 in Franklin 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 Franklin County, VA?
Franklin County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 19. Plan your Parsley planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Franklin County, VA?
Franklin County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and first fall frost is October 24.
Your Franklin County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Franklin County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.