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When to Plant Cilantro in Washington 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.

Washington County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 190 days.

At an elevation of 2,969 feet, Washington County receives approximately 41.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cilantro during the growing season.

Washington County, TN (Zone 6b) Moderate season
190 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
190 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Washington County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jul 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Aug 8

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 147 gal / 100 sq ft
Cilantro needs ~838 GDD — county provides 3,182 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline โ€” Washington County, TN

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Mar 25
Transplant Outdoors April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 22
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 22
Fall Sowing August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Aug 27
Harvest May 20 May 20 โ€“ Jul 22

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 6b

Growing Season

190 days

Growing Tips for Washington 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 Washington County, TN?

Washington County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Washington County, TN?

Washington County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Washington County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Washington County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.