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When to plant Cilantro in Jackson County, IN

Aim to plant Cilantro in Jackson County on or after March 29; the window stays open through April 19. Jackson County's 191-day frost-free season gives you enough for a full main crop and a short fall succession. A second sowing from August 11 to August 25 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Cilantro in Jackson County, IN

Cilantro
Jackson County, Indiana Zone 6b August

August in Jackson County, Indiana — your action list

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Jackson County, Indiana this August and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 12
Avg. first frost October 20
Soil temp (4") 80°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.5 hrs
  1. Start your fall crops: cilantro

    A row cover ready in the garage extends your harvest by weeks once the nights turn cold.

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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.

Jackson County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 1,250 feet, Jackson County receives approximately 33.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Cilantro during the growing season.

Jackson County, IN (Zone 6b) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Jackson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Cilantro Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jul 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jul 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Aug 6

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 Jackson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.8–7.0) overlaps with Cilantro's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Jackson 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 191-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 21 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 11.

Cilantro Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/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 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.4" 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 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Jackson 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 2,626 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline — Jackson County, IN

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 8 Mar 8 – Mar 22
Transplant Outdoors April 5 Apr 5 – Apr 19
Direct Sow March 29 Mar 29 – Apr 19
Harvest May 17 May 17 – Jul 19
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 – Aug 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April 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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

191 days in Jackson County

Growing Tips for Cilantro in Jackson County

Direct sow Cilantro outdoors after April 12 in Jackson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 191.0-day season in Jackson 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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cilantro in Jackson County, IN?

Jackson County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jackson County, IN?

Jackson County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is October 20.

When should I plant Cilantro in Jackson County, IN?

In Jackson County, IN, plant Cilantro after the last frost (around April 12) and before the first frost (around October 20). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Jackson County, IN for Cilantro?

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

Can Cilantro grow in Jackson County's climate?

Yes — Cilantro grows well in Jackson County's temperate climate. Jackson County averages a 191-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 12 and first frost around October 20.

🌱

Your Jackson County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Jackson County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Jackson County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.