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When to Plant Cilantro in Norton 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.

Norton County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 164 days.

At an elevation of 659 feet, Norton County receives approximately 30.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Cilantro to ensure they mature before fall.

Norton County, KS (Zone 5b) Moderate season
164 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
164 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10

Norton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Jul 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 25 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Aug 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (67 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 19

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 392 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Cilantro needs ~650 GDD — county provides 2,132 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline โ€” Norton County, KS

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 8
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 6
Direct Sow April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ May 6
Fall Sowing August 1 Aug 1 โ€“ Aug 15
Harvest June 3 Jun 3 โ€“ Aug 5

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 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

164 days

Growing Tips for Norton 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 Norton County, KS?

Norton County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Norton County, KS?

Norton County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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