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When to Plant Cilantro in Glades County, FL

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.

Glades County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 1 and the first fall frost is December 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 321 days.

At an elevation of 434 feet, Glades County receives approximately 54.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 101ยฐF, so Cilantro may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Cilantro will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cilantro root diseases.

Glades County, FL (Zone 9b) Year-round
321 days
Last Spring Frost February 1
321 growing days
First Fall Frost December 19

Glades County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.1-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (221 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 25 Transplant: Jan 15 🍅 Harvest: Feb 26 – Apr 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (223 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 4 Transplant: Jan 25 🍅 Harvest: Mar 8 – May 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (200 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 1 Transplant: Feb 22 🍅 Harvest: Apr 5 – Jun 7

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.

Soil Compatibility in Glades County

How your county's soil matches Cilantro's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.1โ€“6.3) is more acidic than Cilantro prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Glades County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Cilantro will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Cilantro.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.6%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Cilantro.

How to Plant Cilantro

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Cilantro

9
successive plantings in your 321-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Oct 20 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 24.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Cilantro

Cilantro needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Cilantro Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 2.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb 2.2" 2.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Mar 2.2" 2.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 2.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 8.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 7.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 7.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 4.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 2.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Dec 2.2" 2.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient

Water needs are for active growing months only (Febโ€“Dec in Glades County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Cilantro Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Cilantro needs ~1,288 GDD — county provides 8,291 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline โ€” Glades County, FL

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 4 Jan 4 โ€“ Jan 18
Transplant Outdoors January 25 Jan 25 โ€“ Feb 8
Direct Sow January 11 Jan 11 โ€“ Feb 1
Harvest March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ May 10
Fall Sowing October 24 Oct 24 โ€“ Nov 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.5"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

40โ€“60 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_acidic

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 9b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

321 days in Glades County

Growing Tips for Cilantro in Glades County

Direct sow Cilantro outdoors after February 01 in Glades County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Glades County dries quickly โ€” mulch Cilantro with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

Summer highs in Glades County reach 101ยฐF โ€” grow Cilantro as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.

Your generous 322.0-day season in Glades County allows multiple plantings of Cilantro. Sow every 20.0 days for continuous harvest.

Common pests for Cilantro in this region include carrot rust fly and parsleyworm. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cilantro in Glades County, FL?

Glades County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 1. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Glades County, FL?

Glades County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 1 and first fall frost is December 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Glades County gardeners in Zone 9b 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 Glades County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.