Herb

When to Plant Parsley in Massachusetts

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 Massachusetts, 8 weeks before your first frost date. That means planting around Sep 20 - Oct 10 in Western Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Frost Dates

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

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Western Massachusetts 5b, 6a May 1 - May 20 Sep 20 - Oct 10
Central Massachusetts 5b, 6a May 1 - May 15 Sep 25 - Oct 10
Coastal/Cape 6b, 7a Apr 15 - May 1 Oct 15 - Nov 1

Parsley Planting Schedule for Massachusetts

Western Massachusetts (Zones 5b, 6a)

Average last frost: May 1 - May 20 · Average first frost: Sep 20 - 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

Central Massachusetts (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/Cape (Zones 6b, 7a)

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

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 Massachusetts

Parsley in Massachusetts'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 Massachusetts

Rocky, acidic New England soils. Glacial deposits. Raised beds popular. Amend heavily with compost.

Massachusetts Climate & Growing Season

Four seasons. Maritime influence moderates coastal areas. Cold winters. Good growing season with adequate moisture.

Growing season length varies across Massachusetts: Western Massachusetts (5b, 6a) has a last frost around May 1 - May 20, while Coastal/Cape (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 Massachusetts, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Western Massachusetts gardeners should plan around a May 1 - May 20 last frost, while those in Coastal/Cape can typically plant earlier. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Related Guides

Parsley Growing Guide National planting guide with all states Massachusetts Planting Calendar All plants for Massachusetts Parsley in Alabama Alabama planting dates Parsley in Alaska Alaska planting dates Parsley in Arizona Arizona planting dates Parsley in Arkansas Arkansas planting dates
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

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