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When to Plant Cilantro in Giles 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.

Giles County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 1,223 feet, Giles County receives approximately 43 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cilantro during the growing season.

Giles County, TN (Zone 7a) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Giles County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (95 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 9 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jul 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Aug 1

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 119 gal / 100 sq ft
Cilantro needs ~950 GDD — county provides 3,686 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline โ€” Giles County, TN

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 23
Transplant Outdoors April 6 Apr 6 โ€“ Apr 20
Direct Sow March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ Apr 20
Fall Sowing August 15 Aug 15 โ€“ Aug 29
Harvest May 18 May 18 โ€“ Jul 20

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

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

194 days

Growing Tips for Giles 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 Giles County, TN?

Giles County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Giles County, TN?

Giles County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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