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When to Plant Cilantro in Hardin 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.

Hardin County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 211 days.

At an elevation of 3,095 feet, Hardin County receives approximately 53.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cilantro during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cilantro root diseases.

Hardin County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
211 days
Last Spring Frost March 31
211 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Hardin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (116 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: Apr 28 – Jun 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (113 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: May 5 – Jul 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (113 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jul 23

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
Cilantro needs ~988 GDD — county provides 4,167 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline โ€” Hardin County, TN

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 24 Feb 24 โ€“ Mar 10
Transplant Outdoors March 24 Mar 24 โ€“ Apr 7
Direct Sow March 17 Mar 17 โ€“ Apr 7
Fall Sowing August 19 Aug 19 โ€“ Sep 2
Harvest May 5 May 5 โ€“ Jul 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

211 days

Growing Tips for Hardin 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 Hardin County, TN?

Hardin County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 31. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hardin County, TN?

Hardin County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 31 and first fall frost is October 28.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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