Herb

When to Plant Parsley in Montana

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 Montana, 8 weeks before your first frost date. That means planting around Sep 10 - Sep 30 in Western Montana.

Montana Frost Dates

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

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Western Montana 4b, 5a, 5b May 10 - May 30 Sep 10 - Sep 30
Central Montana 3b, 4a, 4b May 15 - Jun 5 Sep 5 - Sep 20
Eastern Montana 3a, 3b, 4a May 10 - Jun 1 Sep 10 - Sep 25

Parsley Planting Schedule for Montana

Western Montana (Zones 4b, 5a, 5b)

Average last frost: May 10 - May 30 · Average first frost: Sep 10 - Sep 30

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 Montana (Zones 3b, 4a, 4b)

Average last frost: May 15 - Jun 5 · Average first frost: Sep 5 - Sep 20

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

Eastern Montana (Zones 3a, 3b, 4a)

Average last frost: May 10 - Jun 1 · Average first frost: Sep 10 - Sep 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 Montana

Parsley in Montana's Climate

Parsley is one of your most reliable herbs — the biennial handles frost, grows through your moderate summers, and keeps producing from May through November. Start seeds indoors in February (parsley germinates notoriously slowly — 14-28 days). The plant is biennial: lush leaves year one, flowers and seeds year two.

Soil Considerations for Montana

Alkaline soils common. Thin, dry soils in east. Better soils in valleys. Wind erosion challenges.

Montana Climate & Growing Season

Short, intense growing season. Low humidity. Wide day-night temperature swings. Wind protection valuable.

Growing season length varies across Montana: Western Montana (4b, 5a, 5b) has a last frost around May 10 - May 30, while Eastern Montana (3a, 3b, 4a) sees frost end around May 10 - Jun 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 Montana, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Western Montana gardeners should plan around a May 10 - May 30 last frost, while those in Eastern Montana can typically plant later. 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 Montana Planting Calendar All plants for Montana 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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