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When to Plant Cilantro in Blount County, TN

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.

Blount County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 188 days.

At an elevation of 3,707 feet, Blount County receives approximately 48.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cilantro during the growing season.

Blount County, TN (Zone 7a) Moderate season
188 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
188 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Blount County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jul 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jul 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (84 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Aug 9

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Cilantro needs ~1,025 GDD — county provides 3,854 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline โ€” Blount County, TN

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 23
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 23
Fall Sowing August 12 Aug 12 โ€“ Aug 26
Harvest May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jul 23

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
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 7a

Growing Season

188 days

Growing Tips for Blount 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 Blount County, TN?

Blount County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Blount County, TN?

Blount County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 21.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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