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When to Plant Cilantro in Holmes County, MS

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.

Holmes County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 13 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 243 days.

At an elevation of 208 feet, Holmes County receives approximately 53.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cilantro during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Cilantro, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cilantro root diseases.

Holmes County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
243 days
Last Spring Frost March 13
243 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Holmes County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Cilantro Planting Timeline โ€” Holmes County, MS

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 6 Feb 6 โ€“ Feb 20
Transplant Outdoors March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 20
Direct Sow February 27 Feb 27 โ€“ Mar 20
Harvest April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ Jun 19
Fall Sowing September 2 Sep 2 โ€“ Sep 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

40โ€“60 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

243 days in Holmes County

Growing Tips for Holmes 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cilantro in Holmes County, MS?

Holmes County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 13. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Holmes County, MS?

Holmes County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 13 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Holmes County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Holmes County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.