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When to Plant Cilantro in Dade County, GA

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.

Dade County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 213 days.

At an elevation of 77 feet, Dade County receives approximately 60.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cilantro during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Cilantro, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cilantro root diseases.

Dade County, GA (Zone 7a) Long season
213 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
213 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Dade County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (114 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: Apr 30 – Jul 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (115 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: May 6 – Jul 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (112 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jul 25

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Cilantro needs ~838 GDD — county provides 3,567 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline โ€” Dade County, GA

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 25 Feb 25 โ€“ Mar 11
Transplant Outdoors March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 8
Direct Sow March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 8
Fall Sowing August 22 Aug 22 โ€“ Sep 5
Harvest May 6 May 6 โ€“ Jul 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
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 7a

Growing Season

213 days

Growing Tips for Dade 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 Dade County, GA?

Dade County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 1. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dade County, GA?

Dade County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and first fall frost is October 31.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Dade County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Dade County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.