Blog

When to Plant Cilantro in Cattaraugus County, NY

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.

Cattaraugus County, New York is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 22 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 133 days.

At an elevation of 486 feet, Cattaraugus County receives approximately 43.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cilantro during the growing season.

Cattaraugus County, NY (Zone 5a) Short season
133 days
Last Spring Frost May 22
133 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2

Cattaraugus County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 12 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 17 Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 4 Transplant: Jun 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.4″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Cilantro needs ~725 GDD — county provides 1,928 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline โ€” Cattaraugus County, NY

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 1
Transplant Outdoors May 15 May 15 โ€“ May 29
Direct Sow May 8 May 8 โ€“ May 29
Fall Sowing July 24 Jul 24 โ€“ Aug 7
Harvest June 26 Jun 26 โ€“ Aug 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors
May Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing 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 5a

Growing Season

133 days

Growing Tips for Cattaraugus 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 Cattaraugus County, NY?

Cattaraugus County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 22. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cattaraugus County, NY?

Cattaraugus County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 22 and first fall frost is October 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cattaraugus County gardeners in Zone 5a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Cattaraugus County, NY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.