Herb

When to Plant Parsley in Connecticut

More than a garnish. Parsley is a biennial that produces abundantly its first year and is one of the most nutritious herbs.

The Short Answer

Parsley are planted in fall in Connecticut, 8 weeks before your first frost date. That means planting around Sep 25 - Oct 10 in Northern Connecticut.

Connecticut Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of Connecticut you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region	Zones	Last Frost (Spring)	First Frost (Fall)
Northern Connecticut	5b, 6a	May 1 - May 15	Sep 25 - Oct 10
Coastal Connecticut	6b, 7a	Apr 15 - May 1	Oct 10 - Oct 25

Parsley Planting Schedule for Connecticut

Northern Connecticut (Zones 5b, 6a)

Average last frost: May 1 - May 15 · Average first frost: Sep 25 - Oct 10

Start Seeds Indoors

8 wks before frost

Transplant Outside

2 wks before frost

Direct Sow

3 wks before frost

Fall Planting

8 wks before first frost

Coastal Connecticut (Zones 6b, 7a)

Average last frost: Apr 15 - May 1 · Average first frost: Oct 10 - Oct 25

Start Seeds Indoors

8 wks before frost

Transplant Outside

2 wks before frost

Direct Sow

3 wks before frost

Fall Planting

8 wks before first frost

Growing Parsley in Connecticut

Parsley in Connecticut's Climate

Parsley grows all season in your climate. Transplant from mid-April. The biennial rarely bolts in its first year, giving you months of continuous harvest. Fall parsley often survives winter under mulch in your milder microclimates for an even earlier start next spring.

Soil Considerations for Connecticut

Rocky New England soil common. Acidic in many areas. Raised beds popular for dealing with rocky ground.

Connecticut Climate & Growing Season

Four distinct seasons. Maritime influence moderates coastal temperatures. Shorter growing season inland.

Growing season length varies across Connecticut: Northern Connecticut (5b, 6a) has a last frost around May 1 - May 15, while Coastal Connecticut (6b, 7a) sees frost end around Apr 15 - May 1. This difference matters for parsley — adjust your planting dates to match your specific region.

Growing Tips

Parsley seeds are notoriously slow to germinate — soak overnight before planting. It's a biennial: lush leaves year one, seeds year two.

Companion Planting

Plant parsley alongside these companions for better growth:

Tomatoes Asparagus Corn

The Bottom Line

Parsley can be grown successfully across Connecticut, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Northern Connecticut gardeners should plan around a May 1 - May 15 last frost, while those in Coastal Connecticut can typically plant earlier. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026