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When to Plant Cilantro in Holt County, MO

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.

Holt County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 177 days.

At an elevation of 819 feet, Holt County receives approximately 39.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Cilantro to ensure they mature before fall.

Holt County, MO (Zone 5b) Moderate season
177 days
Last Spring Frost April 21
177 growing days
First Fall Frost October 15

Holt County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jul 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jul 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Aug 9

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 91 gal / 100 sq ft
Cilantro needs ~650 GDD — county provides 2,301 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline โ€” Holt County, MO

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 17 Mar 17 โ€“ Mar 31
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ Apr 28
Direct Sow April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 28
Fall Sowing August 6 Aug 6 โ€“ Aug 20
Harvest May 26 May 26 โ€“ Jul 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
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 5b

Growing Season

177 days

Growing Tips for Holt 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 Holt County, MO?

Holt County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Holt County, MO?

Holt County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 21 and first fall frost is October 15.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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