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When to Plant Cilantro in Ellis 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.

Ellis County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.

At an elevation of 664 feet, Ellis County receives approximately 20.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cilantro during the growing season.

Ellis County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
174 days
Last Spring Frost April 24
174 growing days
First Fall Frost October 15

Ellis County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jul 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jul 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 6 Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 17

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 952 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Cilantro needs ~875 GDD — county provides 3,045 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline โ€” Ellis County, KS

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 20 Mar 20 โ€“ Apr 3
Transplant Outdoors April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 1
Direct Sow April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ May 1
Fall Sowing August 6 Aug 6 โ€“ Aug 20
Harvest May 29 May 29 โ€“ Jul 31

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 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 6a

Growing Season

174 days

Growing Tips for Ellis 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 Ellis County, KS?

Ellis County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ellis County, KS?

Ellis County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 15.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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