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When to Plant Cilantro in St. Francis County, AR

Cilantro is a dual-purpose herb providing fresh leaves (cilantro) and dried seeds (coriander). It bolts quickly in heat, producing flowers beloved by beneficial insects.

St. Francis County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 234 days.

At an elevation of 1,429 feet, St. Francis County receives approximately 51.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cilantro during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cilantro root diseases.

St. Francis County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
234 days
Last Spring Frost March 20
234 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9

St. Francis County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (136 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: Apr 16 – Jun 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (136 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: Apr 24 – Jun 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (135 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jul 16

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 169 gal / 100 sq ft
Cilantro needs ~800 GDD — county provides 3,744 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline โ€” St. Francis County, AR

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 13 Feb 13 โ€“ Feb 27
Transplant Outdoors March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Mar 27
Direct Sow March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 27
Fall Sowing August 31 Aug 31 โ€“ Sep 14
Harvest April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ Jun 26

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

40โ€“60 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

234 days

Growing Tips for St. Francis County

Succession sow every 2-3 weeks. Provide afternoon shade in warm weather. Harvest leaves before flowering or allow some plants to go to seed for coriander and self-sowing.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Fennel

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cilantro in St. Francis County, AR?

St. Francis County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 20. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is St. Francis County, AR?

St. Francis County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and first fall frost is November 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help St. Francis County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for St. Francis County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.