When to Plant Cilantro in USDA Zone 5a
Top priorities for Zone 5a gardeners in July
Your garden in Zone 5a is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this July.
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Harvest cilantro as they ripen
This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.
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Kick off the fall garden with cilantro
A row cover ready in the garage extends your harvest by weeks once the nights turn cold.
A few tasks this July that'll pay off in August
- First harvests: cilantro
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 5a, the average last spring frost is around April 25 and the first fall frost is around October 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 166 days.
Cilantro Planting Timeline — Zone 5a
Where Is USDA Zone 5a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 5a. Click any state to see the Cilantro planting schedule for that location.
Cilantro Planting Calendar — Zone 5a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 18 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Direct Sow | April 11 | Apr 11 – May 2 |
| Harvest | May 30 | May 30 – Aug 1 |
| Fall Sowing | July 30 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 5a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 5a 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
-20°F to -15°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
166 days (Zone 5a average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 0.5 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 8 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 12 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Cilantro in Zone 5a
Sow every 4.6 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Cilantro in Zone 5a
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 5a?
In Zone 5a, plan your Cilantro planting around the average last frost date of April 25. Start seeds indoors around March 21. Direct sow outdoors around April 11. Transplant seedlings around April 18.
Can Cilantro grow in Zone 5a?
Yes, Cilantro can grow well in Zone 5a, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 5a has a growing season of approximately 166 days, which is sufficient for Cilantro (40-60 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Cilantro in Zone 5a?
In Zone 5a, expect to harvest Cilantro from May 30 – August 1. Cilantro takes 40-60 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 5a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 5a is around April 25, and the first fall frost is around October 8. This gives a growing season of approximately 166 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 Zone 5a Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner tailored to Zone 5a. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.