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When to Plant Cilantro in Cowley 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.

Cowley County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 197 days.

At an elevation of 708 feet, Cowley County receives approximately 31.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cilantro during the growing season.

Cowley County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
197 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
197 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Cowley County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jul 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (99 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jul 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 565 gal / 100 sq ft
Cilantro needs ~762 GDD — county provides 3,004 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline โ€” Cowley County, KS

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 7 Mar 7 โ€“ Mar 21
Transplant Outdoors April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 18
Direct Sow March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 18
Fall Sowing August 16 Aug 16 โ€“ Aug 30
Harvest May 16 May 16 โ€“ Jul 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
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 6b

Growing Season

197 days

Growing Tips for Cowley 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 Cowley County, KS?

Cowley County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cowley County, KS?

Cowley County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cowley County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Cowley County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.