Parsley in Zone 4a & 4b
Petroselinum crispum
Yes, parsley grows in zones 4a and 4b. Start seeds indoors Mar 20–Mar 27 and plant out May 1–May 8.
When to plant parsley in zone 4b
Zones 4a and 4b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Either works.
| Start indoors | Mar 20–Mar 27 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 1–May 8 |
| Estimated harvest | Jul 15–Jul 22 (~75 days after planting) |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 0.5-1 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 4b
These go outside within two weeks of parsley in zone 4b, so one planting day can cover them.
- DillMay 8–May 15
- BorageMay 15–May 22
- ChervilMay 1–May 8
- ChivesMay 1–May 8
- HorehoundMay 1–May 8
- TansyMay 1–May 8
Parsley is technically a biennial, not an annual, though most gardeners never see the second year. It's usually grown and harvested in its first season, then replaced the following spring rather than left to bolt and flower in year two.
How parsley fits zone 4's season
Zone 4b's frost-free window runs about 128 days, from May 15 to September 20. Parsley needs about 75 days from sowing to first harvest.
Parsley planting windows in every zone
Zone 4b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3a & 3b | Apr 4–Apr 11 | May 16–May 23 | Jul 30–Aug 6 |
| 4a & 4b (your zone) | Mar 20–Mar 27 | May 1–May 8 | Jul 15–Jul 22 |
| 5a & 5b | Mar 15–Mar 22 | Apr 26–May 3 | Jul 10–Jul 17 |
| 6a & 6b | Feb 28–Mar 7 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | Jun 25–Jul 2 |
| 7a & 7b | Feb 13–Feb 20 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | Jun 10–Jun 17 |
| 8a & 8b | Jan 28–Feb 4 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | May 25–Jun 1 |
| 9a & 9b | Dec 21–Dec 28 | Feb 1–Feb 8 | Apr 17–Apr 24 |
| 10a & 10bFall window | Jul–Mar | Oct–Apr | ~75 days after transplanting |
Harvest dates are about 75 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Good companions
- Tomato: Classic pairing. Parsley attracts beneficial insects near tomatoes.
Where to buy parsley seeds
Botanical Interests · True Leaf Market · Burpee · High Mowing Organic Seeds (each supplier's parsley seeds)
Varieties we recommend, and where to get them:
- Gigante d'Italia (Giant of Italy): The most-reviewed top variety in Cornell's Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners database (4.5 stars, 20 reviews), a flat-leaf Italian type with large, dark green leaves at 70-75 days, closely matching the flavor most cooks want from parsley. Buy: Burpee Full notes
- Dark Green Italian: Cornell's database rates it even higher than Gigante d'Italia at 4.8 stars, another flat-leaf type at 78 days. Buy: True Leaf Market · Burpee Full notes
- Moss Curled: The curly-leaf type most people picture as a garnish, rated 4.4 stars in Cornell's database with compact plants and finely cut leaves. Buy: Botanical Interests · True Leaf Market Full notes
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing parsley" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 4b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Parsley in USDA zone 4b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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