When to Plant Cilantro in St. Landry Parish, LA
May in the garden — St. Landry Parish, Louisiana
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
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Harvest cilantro as they ripen
Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.
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.
St. Landry Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 19 and the first fall frost is December 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 285 days.
At an elevation of 370 feet, St. Landry Parish receives approximately 59.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 97°F, so Cilantro may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Cilantro will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cilantro root diseases.
St. Landry Parish Soil Profile
Soil Type
Sandy Loam
Soil pH
4.8-6
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 St. Landry Parish
How your county's soil matches Cilantro's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (4.8–6.0) is more acidic than Cilantro prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
Sandy soil in St. Landry Parish warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Cilantro will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Cilantro.
How to Plant Cilantro
Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Cilantro
Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Oct 02 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 06.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 4.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | 2.2" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Mar | 2.2" | 6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 2.2" | 4.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 2.2" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.2" | 7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 6.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 4.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.2" | 4.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | 2.2" | 4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Dec | 2.2" | 5.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in St. Landry Parish). 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 Planting Timeline — St. Landry Parish, LA
Cilantro Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | January 22 | Jan 22 – Feb 5 |
| Transplant Outdoors | February 12 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 |
| Direct Sow | January 29 | Jan 29 – Feb 19 |
| Harvest | March 26 | Mar 26 – May 28 |
| Fall Sowing | October 6 | Oct 6 – Oct 20 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| February | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| March | Harvest |
| April | Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | Fall Sowing |
| 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: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 9a
📆 Growing Season
285 days in St. Landry Parish
Growing Tips for Cilantro in St. Landry Parish
Direct sow Cilantro outdoors after February 19 in St. Landry Parish when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Sandy soil in St. Landry Parish dries quickly — mulch Cilantro with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.
Summer highs in St. Landry Parish reach 97°F — grow Cilantro as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.
Your generous 286.0-day season in St. Landry Parish 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
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Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Cilantro in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Cilantro in St. Landry Parish, LA?
St. Landry Parish is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 19. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is St. Landry Parish, LA?
St. Landry Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 19 and first fall frost is December 1.
Your St. Landry Parish Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for St. Landry Parish (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.