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When to Plant Cilantro in Wayne 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.

Wayne County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 1 and the first fall frost is November 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 268 days.

At an elevation of 473 feet, Wayne County receives approximately 61.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cilantro during the growing season. 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.

Wayne County, GA (Zone 8b) Long season
268 days
Last Spring Frost March 1
268 growing days
First Fall Frost November 24

Wayne County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (179 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 10 Transplant: Feb 7 🍅 Harvest: Mar 21 – May 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (170 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 25 Transplant: Feb 22 🍅 Harvest: Apr 5 – Jun 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (168 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: Apr 28 – Jun 30

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Cilantro needs ~875 GDD — county provides 4,690 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline โ€” Wayne County, GA

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 25 Jan 25 โ€“ Feb 8
Transplant Outdoors February 22 Feb 22 โ€“ Mar 8
Direct Sow February 15 Feb 15 โ€“ Mar 8
Fall Sowing September 15 Sep 15 โ€“ Sep 29
Harvest April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Jun 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
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 8b

Growing Season

268 days

Growing Tips for Wayne 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 Wayne County, GA?

Wayne County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 1. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wayne County, GA?

Wayne County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 1 and first fall frost is November 24.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Wayne County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Wayne County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.