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When to Plant Cilantro in Yadkin 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.

Yadkin County, North Carolina is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 638 feet, Yadkin County receives approximately 53.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, 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.

Yadkin County, NC (Zone 7a) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Yadkin 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 (96 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: May 12 – Jul 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jul 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (91 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Aug 7

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.

Soil Compatibility in Yadkin County

How your county's soil matches Cilantro's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7โ€“6.4) overlaps with Cilantro's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Yadkin County is excellent for Cilantro โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). Annual compost additions will help Cilantro.

How to Plant Cilantro

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Cilantro

5
successive plantings in your 194-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 23 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 13.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Cilantro

Cilantro needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Cilantro Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 5.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 4.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 4.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 6.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 5.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Nov โ€” 4.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Yadkin County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Cilantro Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Cilantro needs ~950 GDD — county provides 3,686 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline โ€” Yadkin County, NC

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 7 Mar 7 โ€“ Mar 21
Transplant Outdoors April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 18
Direct Sow March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 18
Harvest May 16 May 16 โ€“ Jul 18
Fall Sowing August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Aug 27

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.5"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

40โ€“60 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

194 days in Yadkin County

Growing Tips for Cilantro in Yadkin County

Direct sow Cilantro outdoors after April 11 in Yadkin County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Yadkin County's clay soil (29% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Cilantro. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Summer highs in Yadkin County reach 92ยฐF โ€” grow Cilantro as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.

Your generous 194.0-day season in Yadkin County allows multiple plantings of Cilantro. Sow every 20.0 days for continuous harvest.

Common pests for Cilantro in this region include carrot rust fly and parsleyworm. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cilantro in Yadkin County, NC?

Yadkin County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Yadkin County, NC?

Yadkin County, North Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Yadkin County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Yadkin County, NC. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.