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When to Plant Cilantro in Cheyenne County, KS

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.

Cheyenne County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 158 days.

At an elevation of 967 feet, Cheyenne County receives approximately 24.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cilantro during the growing season.

Cheyenne County, KS (Zone 5b) Moderate season
158 days
Last Spring Frost May 4
158 growing days
First Fall Frost October 9

Cheyenne County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Aug 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Aug 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 16 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 27

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,104 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Cilantro needs ~725 GDD — county provides 2,291 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline โ€” Cheyenne County, KS

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ Apr 13
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 11
Direct Sow April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 11
Fall Sowing July 31 Jul 31 โ€“ Aug 14
Harvest June 8 Jun 8 โ€“ Aug 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September โ€”
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 5b

Growing Season

158 days

Growing Tips for Cheyenne 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 Cheyenne County, KS?

Cheyenne County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 4. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cheyenne County, KS?

Cheyenne County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 4 and first fall frost is October 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cheyenne County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Cheyenne County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.