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When to Plant Cilantro in Shannon 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.

Shannon County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 1,311 feet, Shannon County receives approximately 35.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cilantro during the growing season.

Shannon County, MO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Shannon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – Jul 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jul 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jul 31

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
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 365 gal / 100 sq ft
Cilantro needs ~838 GDD — county provides 3,199 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline โ€” Shannon County, MO

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 22
Transplant Outdoors April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 19
Direct Sow March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 19
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 โ€“ Aug 25
Harvest May 17 May 17 โ€“ Jul 19

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

191 days

Growing Tips for Shannon 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 Shannon County, MO?

Shannon County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Shannon County, MO?

Shannon County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is October 20.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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