Herb

When to Plant Parsley in Wisconsin

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 Wisconsin, 8 weeks before your first frost date. That means planting around Sep 10 - Sep 25 in Northern Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Frost Dates

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

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Northern Wisconsin 3b, 4a May 15 - Jun 1 Sep 10 - Sep 25
Central Wisconsin 4a, 4b May 5 - May 20 Sep 20 - Oct 5
Southern Wisconsin 4b, 5a, 5b Apr 25 - May 10 Oct 1 - Oct 15

Parsley Planting Schedule for Wisconsin

Northern Wisconsin (Zones 3b, 4a)

Average last frost: May 15 - 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

Central Wisconsin (Zones 4a, 4b)

Average last frost: May 5 - May 20 · Average first frost: Sep 20 - Oct 5

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

Southern Wisconsin (Zones 4b, 5a, 5b)

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

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 Wisconsin

Parsley in Wisconsin'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 Wisconsin

Rich agricultural soils in southern half. Sandy soils in central plain. Heavy clay in some lake regions. Generally fertile.

Wisconsin Climate & Growing Season

Cold winters. Warm summers. Lake Michigan moderates eastern climate. Good growing season in south. Short season in north.

Growing season length varies across Wisconsin: Northern Wisconsin (3b, 4a) has a last frost around May 15 - Jun 1, while Southern Wisconsin (4b, 5a, 5b) sees frost end around Apr 25 - May 10. 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 Wisconsin, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Northern Wisconsin gardeners should plan around a May 15 - Jun 1 last frost, while those in Southern Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin Planting Calendar All plants for Wisconsin 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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