Zone 5 · Herbs Growing Guide

When to Plant Parsley
in Zone 5

Slow to germinate (3–4 weeks) but then productive for months. Soaking seeds overnight speeds germination. Biennial — grows leaves first year, flowers second.

Plant outdoors
Apr 15 – May 15
Start indoors
Feb 15 – Mar 1
Last Frost
~Apr 15
Days to harvest
70–90 days
Difficulty
Medium
Plant now — Zone 5
Harvest window: Jun – Nov

Planting Calendar

In Zone 5, Parsley should be planted outdoors Apr 15 – May 15, after the average last frost date of approximately Apr 15. Start seeds indoors around Feb 15 – Mar 1 for a head start.

Biennial in Zone 5. Plant survives winter and bolts to seed in its second spring.

Care Guide

Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade · 4–8 hrs/day
Watering
Regular
Spacing
8–10 inches
Soil
Rich, well-draining, moist
Days to maturity
70–90 days
Soil pH
5.5–6.7
plant tip · Zone 5

Biennial in Zone 5. Plant survives winter and bolts to seed in its second spring.

Feeding Schedule

How often
monthly
Feed type
balanced (10-10-10)
Key timing
throughout growing season

Biennial — feeds moderately. Monthly balanced feed. Avoid high nitrogen which reduces flavour intensity.

Succession Planting

Sow every 4 weeks

Sow a second batch 4 weeks after the first. Parsley is slow to germinate and biennial — a second sowing gives you backup in case of poor germination and fresh young plants mid-season.

Companion Planting for Parsley

What you plant next to parsley makes a real difference — some plants actively help, others compete or attract pests.

Grows well with
  • Tomatoes
  • Asparagus
  • Corn
  • Roses
Keep away from
  • Alliums
  • Lettuce

These guides get better when growers like you contribute. If something’s wrong or you’ve learned something worth sharing, we’d love to hear it.

What needs correcting?

What should it say?

Your zone (optional)

Thanks — we'll review this and update the guide if needed.

Your growing tip for Parsley

Your name (optional)

Your zone (optional)

Tips are reviewed before publishing. Accepted tips earn you a Founding Grower badge when the plant app launches.

Thanks for contributing! We'll review your tip and be in touch before launch.

Common questions

In Zone 5, start parsley seeds indoors around Feb 15 – Mar 1, then transplant outdoors Apr 15 – May 15 after your last frost around Apr 15. Biennial in Zone 5. Plant survives winter and bolts to seed in its second spring.
Zone 5 has an average last spring frost of approximately Apr 15 and a first fall frost around Oct 15. These dates vary by specific location — use your ZIP code in the plant app for precision based on the nearest NOAA weather station.
Good companion crops for parsley include Tomatoes, Asparagus, Corn, Roses. Avoid planting near Alliums, Lettuce, which can compete for nutrients or attract pests.
Parsley typically takes 70–90 days from transplant or direct sow to harvest in Zone 5. Expected harvest window: Jun – Nov.

Free app · iOS February 2028

Track your Parsley in plant

Get a live traffic light for every crop in your garden — zone-aware planting calendar, real-time weather alerts, and a community of growers near you.

Be first to back on Kickstarter and lock in the founding price.

Parsley in other zones
Crop Guides