When to Plant Cilantro in USDA Zone 3a
Your May planting checklist for Zone 3a
Each item below is timed to Zone 3a's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.
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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.
In Zone 3a, the average last spring frost is around May 15 and the first fall frost is around September 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 123 days.
Cilantro Planting Timeline — Zone 3a
Where Is USDA Zone 3a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 3a. Click any state to see the Cilantro planting schedule for that location.
Cilantro Planting Calendar — Zone 3a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 3 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 8 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Direct Sow | May 8 | May 8 – May 29 |
| Harvest | June 19 | Jun 19 – Aug 21 |
| Fall Sowing | June 23 | Jun 23 – Jul 7 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 3a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 3a with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
0.5"/week · Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
40–60 days
Soil pH
6 – 7
Zone Temperature Range
°F to °F average annual minimum
Growing Season
123 days (Zone average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 0.5 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 8 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 12 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Cilantro in Zone
Sow every 4.6 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Cilantro in Zone
Zone has a short growing season (~123 days). Start Cilantro indoors early and use season-extension techniques like row covers and cold frames.
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
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Saving Cilantro Seeds
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Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Related Plants
Cilantro in Other Zones
Cilantro by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Cilantro in Zone 3a?
In Zone 3a, plan your Cilantro planting around the average last frost date of May 15. Start seeds indoors around April 3. Direct sow outdoors around May 8. Transplant seedlings around May 8.
Can Cilantro grow in Zone 3a?
Yes, Cilantro can grow well in Zone 3a, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 3a has a growing season of approximately 123 days, which is sufficient for Cilantro (40-60 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Cilantro in Zone 3a?
In Zone 3a, expect to harvest Cilantro from June 19 – August 21. Cilantro takes 40-60 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 3a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 3a is around May 15, and the first fall frost is around September 15. This gives a growing season of approximately 123 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Cilantro?
Good companion plants for Cilantro include Tomatoes, Peppers, Spinach. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Free Printable Garden Planner
A 24-page printable planner tailored to your zone. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.