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When to Plant Cilantro in Harrison County, OH

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.

Harrison County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 182 days.

At an elevation of 1,138 feet, Harrison County receives approximately 38.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cilantro during the growing season.

Harrison County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
182 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
182 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Harrison County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (84 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jul 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (84 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Aug 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 20

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 Harrison County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.1โ€“7.2) overlaps with Cilantro's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.8%) โ€” Cilantro will thrive.

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 182-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 26 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 16.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Cilantro needs ~688 GDD — county provides 2,502 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline โ€” Harrison County, OH

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 5
Transplant Outdoors April 19 Apr 19 โ€“ May 3
Direct Sow April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ May 3
Fall Sowing August 16 Aug 16 โ€“ Aug 30
Harvest May 31 May 31 โ€“ Aug 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

182 days in Harrison County

Growing Tips for Cilantro in Harrison County

Direct sow Cilantro outdoors after April 26 in Harrison County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 182.0-day season in Harrison 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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cilantro in Harrison County, OH?

Harrison County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Harrison County, OH?

Harrison County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

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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 Harrison County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.