FrostCal

When to Plant Parsley in California

In a typical California location, start seeds indoors Nov 21 – Dec 5, then transplant outdoors Jan 2 – Jan 9. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Dec 15 in San Mateo and as late as May 13 in Big Bear City. 103 cities in California are essentially frost-free and can plant on a year-round schedule.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 70–90 days

Slow to germinate; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost (biennial, cold-tolerant).

Parsley Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
Los AngelesFrost-free: year-round planting
San DiegoFrost-free: year-round planting
San JoseNov 7 – Nov 21Dec 19 – Dec 26
San FranciscoFrost-free: year-round planting
FresnoNov 19 – Dec 3Dec 31 – Jan 7
SacramentoNov 17 – Dec 1Dec 29 – Jan 5
Long BeachFrost-free: year-round planting
OaklandFrost-free: year-round planting
BakersfieldDec 6 – Dec 20Jan 17 – Jan 24
AnaheimFrost-free: year-round planting
RiversideNov 14 – Nov 28Dec 26 – Jan 2
Santa AnaFrost-free: year-round planting
StocktonDec 11 – Dec 25Jan 22 – Jan 29
Chula VistaFrost-free: year-round planting
IrvineFrost-free: year-round planting
FremontNov 12 – Nov 26Dec 24 – Dec 31
San BernardinoDec 2 – Dec 16Jan 13 – Jan 20
FontanaNov 15 – Nov 29Dec 27 – Jan 3
ModestoDec 6 – Dec 20Jan 17 – Jan 24
OxnardFrost-free: year-round planting
Moreno ValleyDec 2 – Dec 16Jan 13 – Jan 20
Huntington BeachFrost-free: year-round planting
GlendaleNov 7 – Nov 21Dec 19 – Dec 26
Santa ClaritaNov 13 – Nov 27Dec 25 – Jan 1
Santa RosaDec 31 – Jan 14Feb 11 – Feb 18
OceansideFrost-free: year-round planting
Garden GroveFrost-free: year-round planting
Rancho CucamongaNov 9 – Nov 23Dec 21 – Dec 28
OntarioNov 9 – Nov 23Dec 21 – Dec 28
Elk GroveDec 8 – Dec 22Jan 19 – Jan 26

Showing the 30 most populous of 530 California cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all California cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant parsley in California?

In a typical California location, start seeds indoors Nov 21 – Dec 5, then transplant outdoors Jan 2 – Jan 9. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Dec 15 in San Mateo and as late as May 13 in Big Bear City. 103 cities in California are essentially frost-free and can plant on a year-round schedule.

When is the last frost in California?

The average last spring frost in California ranges from January 1 in Palm Springs to December 31 in Sunland, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do parsley take to grow?

Parsley typically take 70–90 days from planting to harvest. Slow to germinate; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost (biennial, cold-tolerant).

Other Crops in California

When to plant parsley in other states

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