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When to Plant Cilantro in Baker County, OR

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.

Baker County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 30 and the first fall frost is September 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 105 days.

At an elevation of 1,398 feet, Baker County receives approximately 16.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cilantro during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Cilantro successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Baker County, OR (Zone 5b) Short season
105 days
Last Spring Frost May 30
105 growing days
First Fall Frost September 12

Baker County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 14 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (7 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 25 Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Sep 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (7 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 15 Transplant: Jun 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 25

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 583 gal / 100 sq ft
Cilantro needs ~725 GDD — county provides 1,522 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline โ€” Baker County, OR

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 9
Transplant Outdoors May 23 May 23 โ€“ Jun 6
Direct Sow May 16 May 16 โ€“ Jun 6
Fall Sowing July 4 Jul 4 โ€“ Jul 18
Harvest July 4 Jul 4 โ€“ Sep 5

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 Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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

105 days

Growing Tips for Baker 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 Baker County, OR?

Baker County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 30. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Baker County, OR?

Baker County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 30 and first fall frost is September 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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