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When to plant Cilantro in Techny, IL

Plant Cilantro in Techny, when soil hits 50°F — usually April 9. Continue planting through April 30 for the spring crop. A second sowing from August 8 to August 22 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Cilantro in Techny, IL

Cilantro
Cook County, Illinois Zone 6a June

Your June planting checklist for Cook County, Illinois

Your Cook County, Illinois garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for June and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost April 23
Avg. first frost October 17
Soil temp (4") 70°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15 hrs
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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.

Techny, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 177 days.

At an elevation of 728 feet, Cook County receives approximately 35.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Cilantro during the growing season.

Techny, IL (Zone 6a) Moderate season
177 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
177 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Techny Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Cilantro Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jul 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 5 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 16

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.

Soil Compatibility in Techny

How your county's soil matches Cilantro's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.0–7.0) is within Cilantro's preferred range (6.0–7.0).

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Cook County is excellent for Cilantro — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.4%) — Cilantro will thrive.

How to Plant Cilantro

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Cilantro

5
successive plantings in your 177-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 18 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 08.

Cilantro Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Cilantro

Cilantro needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Cilantro Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Cook County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Cilantro Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Cilantro needs ~688 GDD — county provides 2,433 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline — Techny, IL

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 19 Mar 19 – Apr 2
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 – Apr 30
Direct Sow April 9 Apr 9 – Apr 30
Harvest May 28 May 28 – Jul 30
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 – Aug 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

40–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

177 days in Cook County

Growing Tips for Cilantro in Techny

Direct sow Cilantro outdoors after April 23 in Cook County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 177.0-day season in Cook County allows multiple plantings of Cilantro. Sow every 20.0 days for continuous harvest.

Common pests for Cilantro in this region include carrot rust fly and parsleyworm. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

When should I plant Cilantro in Techny, IL?

In Techny, IL, plant Cilantro after the last frost (around April 23) and before the first frost (around October 17). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Techny, IL for Cilantro?

Techny sits in USDA Zone 6a. Cilantro grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Cilantro grow in Techny's climate?

Yes — Cilantro grows well in Techny's temperate climate. Techny averages a 177-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 23 and first frost around October 17.

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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 Cook County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.