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When to Plant Cilantro in Clallam County, WA

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.

Clallam County, Washington is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 186 days.

At an elevation of 194 feet, Clallam County receives approximately 54.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Cilantro to ensure they mature before fall. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cilantro root diseases.

Clallam County, WA (Zone 8a) Moderate season
186 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
186 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Clallam 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 (89 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jul 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Aug 15

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Cilantro needs ~612 GDD — county provides 2,278 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline โ€” Clallam County, WA

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Apr 30
Direct Sow April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 30
Fall Sowing August 17 Aug 17 โ€“ Aug 31
Harvest May 28 May 28 โ€“ Jul 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors 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 8a

Growing Season

186 days

Growing Tips for Clallam 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 Clallam County, WA?

Clallam County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clallam County, WA?

Clallam County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Clallam County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Clallam County, WA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.