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When to Plant Cilantro in Tioga 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.

Tioga County, New York is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 154 days.

At an elevation of 809 feet, Tioga County receives approximately 49.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Cilantro to ensure they mature before fall.

Tioga County, NY (Zone 5b) Moderate season
154 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
154 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Tioga County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Aug 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 5 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (64 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 16 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 27

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 ~612 GDD — county provides 1,886 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline โ€” Tioga County, NY

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 19
Transplant Outdoors May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 17
Direct Sow April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ May 17
Fall Sowing August 2 Aug 2 โ€“ Aug 16
Harvest June 14 Jun 14 โ€“ Aug 16

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 Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July 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 5b

Growing Season

154 days

Growing Tips for Tioga 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 Tioga County, NY?

Tioga County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Tioga County, NY?

Tioga County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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