FrostCal

When to Plant Parsley in Iowa

In a typical Iowa location, start seeds indoors Feb 24 – Mar 10, then transplant outdoors Apr 7 – Apr 14. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 27 in Keokuk and as late as Apr 19 in Grinnell.

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
Des MoinesFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 4 – Apr 11
Cedar RapidsMar 3 – Mar 17Apr 14 – Apr 21
DavenportFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 12
Sioux CityMar 4 – Mar 18Apr 15 – Apr 22
Iowa CityFeb 24 – Mar 10Apr 7 – Apr 14
WaterlooMar 2 – Mar 16Apr 13 – Apr 20
AmesMar 1 – Mar 15Apr 12 – Apr 19
West Des MoinesFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 4 – Apr 11
Council BluffsFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 4 – Apr 11
DubuqueFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 12
AnkenyFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 9 – Apr 16
UrbandaleFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 4 – Apr 11
Cedar FallsMar 2 – Mar 16Apr 13 – Apr 20
MarionMar 3 – Mar 17Apr 14 – Apr 21
BettendorfFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 12
MarshalltownMar 3 – Mar 17Apr 14 – Apr 21
Mason CityMar 4 – Mar 18Apr 15 – Apr 22
ClintonFeb 16 – Mar 2Mar 30 – Apr 6
BurlingtonFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 1 – Apr 8
Fort DodgeMar 3 – Mar 17Apr 14 – Apr 21
OttumwaFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 9 – Apr 16
MuscatineFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 4 – Apr 11
JohnstonFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 12
CoralvilleFeb 24 – Mar 10Apr 7 – Apr 14
WaukeeFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 12
AltoonaFeb 24 – Mar 10Apr 7 – Apr 14
North LibertyFeb 24 – Mar 10Apr 7 – Apr 14
IndianolaFeb 27 – Mar 13Apr 10 – Apr 17
CliveFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 4 – Apr 11
NewtonFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 8 – Apr 15

Showing the 30 most populous of 45 Iowa cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Iowa cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant parsley in Iowa?

In a typical Iowa location, start seeds indoors Feb 24 – Mar 10, then transplant outdoors Apr 7 – Apr 14. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 27 in Keokuk and as late as Apr 19 in Grinnell.

When is the last frost in Iowa?

The average last spring frost in Iowa ranges from April 10 in Keokuk to May 3 in Grinnell, 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 Iowa

When to plant parsley in other states

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