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When to Plant Cilantro in Clay County, WV

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.

Clay County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 186 days.

At an elevation of 3,749 feet, Clay County receives approximately 47.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cilantro during the growing season.

Clay County, WV (Zone 6a) Moderate season
186 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
186 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Clay County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (91 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jul 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Jul 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 20

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 ~912 GDD — county provides 3,394 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline โ€” Clay County, WV

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 1
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ Apr 29
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 29
Fall Sowing August 16 Aug 16 โ€“ Aug 30
Harvest May 27 May 27 โ€“ Jul 29

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 6a

Growing Season

186 days

Growing Tips for Clay 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 Clay County, WV?

Clay County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clay County, WV?

Clay County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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