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When to Plant Cilantro in Pasquotank County, NC

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.

Pasquotank County, North Carolina is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 230 days.

At an elevation of 591 feet, Pasquotank County receives approximately 52.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, 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.

Pasquotank County, NC (Zone 8a) Long season
230 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
230 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

Pasquotank County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (131 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 15 🍅 Harvest: Apr 26 – Jun 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (132 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: May 2 – Jul 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 22

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Cilantro needs ~875 GDD — county provides 4,025 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline โ€” Pasquotank County, NC

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 21 Feb 21 โ€“ Mar 7
Transplant Outdoors March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 4
Direct Sow March 14 Mar 14 โ€“ Apr 4
Fall Sowing September 4 Sep 4 โ€“ Sep 18
Harvest May 2 May 2 โ€“ Jul 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
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 8a

Growing Season

230 days

Growing Tips for Pasquotank 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 Pasquotank County, NC?

Pasquotank County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pasquotank County, NC?

Pasquotank County, North Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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