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When to Plant Cilantro in Jasper 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.

Jasper County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 15 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 242 days.

At an elevation of 468 feet, Jasper County receives approximately 53.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, 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.

Jasper County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
242 days
Last Spring Frost March 15
242 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Jasper County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (143 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Feb 27 🍅 Harvest: Apr 10 – Jun 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (144 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 8 Transplant: Mar 8 🍅 Harvest: Apr 19 – Jun 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (138 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: May 12 – Jul 14

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.

Soil Compatibility in Jasper County

How your county's soil matches Cilantro's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5โ€“6.6) overlaps with Cilantro's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Jasper County is excellent for Cilantro โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Cilantro.

How to Plant Cilantro

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Cilantro

7
successive plantings in your 242-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 13 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 03.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Cilantro

Cilantro needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Cilantro Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 4.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 3.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 5.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 4.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 4.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 5.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 3.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Dec โ€” 5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Jasper County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Cilantro Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Cilantro needs ~1,025 GDD — county provides 4,961 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline โ€” Jasper County, MS

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 8 Feb 8 โ€“ Feb 22
Transplant Outdoors March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 22
Direct Sow March 1 Mar 1 โ€“ Mar 22
Harvest April 19 Apr 19 โ€“ Jun 21
Fall Sowing September 3 Sep 3 โ€“ Sep 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
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

0.5"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

40โ€“60 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

242 days in Jasper County

Growing Tips for Cilantro in Jasper County

Direct sow Cilantro outdoors after March 15 in Jasper County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Jasper County's clay soil (27% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Cilantro. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Summer highs in Jasper County reach 94ยฐF โ€” grow Cilantro as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.

Your generous 242.0-day season in Jasper County allows multiple plantings of Cilantro. Sow every 20.0 days for continuous harvest.

Common pests for Cilantro in this region include carrot rust fly and parsleyworm. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Jasper County, MS?

Jasper County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 15. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jasper County, MS?

Jasper County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 15 and first fall frost is November 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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