When to plant parsley in Austin, Texas

February 17 – March 3

Transplant outdoors · typical Austin year

Climate basis: NOAA station Austin 6s, TX (USC00410431), 3 mi (5 km) from downtown Austin (ZCTA 78701 centroid), elevation 570 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Transplant parsley outdoors from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (March 10). One year in ten still freezes after March 31.

Last spring freezeMarch 101-in-10 after Mar 31

First fall freezeNovember 171-in-10 before Nov 1

Frost-free season≈ 252 daysmedian at 32°F

Hard freeze, 28°Feb 28 – Dec 1kills even hardy greens

USDA zone9a20 to 25°F winter low — not frost timing

The Austin year

Start seeds indoorsDec 9 – Dec 23

Transplant outdoorsFeb 17 – Mar 3

Direct-sow outdoorsFeb 10 – Feb 24

indoors under lights
in the garden
frost-free season
1-in-10 years still freeze to Mar 31

Parsley in Austin · freeze context from Austin 6s, TX, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Dec 9 – Dec 23

Wisconsin: start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost (UNH: 9–10 weeks from seed to transplant). Parsley germinates slowly. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Mar 10). University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension (Wisconsin Horticulture) · University of New Hampshire Extension

Transplant outdoors

Feb 17 – Mar 3

UNH: set out 2–3 weeks before the last frost; Oklahoma State plants 3–4 weeks before. The later UNH range is used. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Mar 10). University of New Hampshire Extension · Oklahoma State University Extension

Direct-sow outdoors

Feb 10 – Feb 24

Oklahoma State Table 1: plant parsley three to four weeks before the last spring frost. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Mar 10). Oklahoma State University Extension

Variety assumption: Leaf harvest begins about 70–90 days from seed.

These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.

This week, not a typical year:

Crop rule sources (3)

University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension (Wisconsin Horticulture): Parsley, Petroselinum crispum (accessed 2026-07-24)
"Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost."
University of New Hampshire Extension: Growing Vegetables: When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden [fact sheet] (accessed 2026-07-24)
Per-crop 'time from seed to transplant' and 'safe to set out in garden' relative to last frost.
Oklahoma State University Extension: Culinary Herbs for Oklahoma Gardens: Culture, Use and Preservation (accessed 2026-07-24)
Table 1 planting times relative to last spring frost for common herbs.

Keep exploring

This crop, other cities

Related crops in Austin

Local overview