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When to Plant Cilantro in Lauderdale 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.

Lauderdale County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 218 days.

At an elevation of 2,139 feet, Lauderdale County receives approximately 43 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cilantro during the growing season.

Lauderdale County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
218 days
Last Spring Frost March 29
218 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Lauderdale County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: Apr 24 – Jun 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 22 Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: May 3 – Jul 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 22

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
0.8″/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 4,469 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline โ€” Lauderdale County, TN

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 22 Feb 22 โ€“ Mar 8
Transplant Outdoors March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 5
Direct Sow March 15 Mar 15 โ€“ Apr 5
Fall Sowing August 24 Aug 24 โ€“ Sep 7
Harvest May 3 May 3 โ€“ Jul 5

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

218 days

Growing Tips for Lauderdale 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 Lauderdale County, TN?

Lauderdale County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 29. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lauderdale County, TN?

Lauderdale County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 29 and first fall frost is November 2.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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