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When to Plant Cilantro in Jefferson 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.

Jefferson County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.

At an elevation of 559 feet, Jefferson County receives approximately 23.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cilantro during the growing season.

Jefferson County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
193 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
193 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Jefferson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: May 12 – Jul 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jul 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Aug 3

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 994 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Cilantro needs ~875 GDD — county provides 3,377 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline โ€” Jefferson County, KS

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 10 Mar 10 โ€“ Mar 24
Transplant Outdoors April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 21
Direct Sow March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 21
Fall Sowing August 15 Aug 15 โ€“ Aug 29
Harvest May 19 May 19 โ€“ Jul 21

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 6a

Growing Season

193 days

Growing Tips for Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, KS?

Jefferson County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jefferson County, KS?

Jefferson County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.