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When to plant Cilantro in Kittson County, MN

Plant Cilantro in Kittson County from May 7 to May 28 in spring. Kittson County sits in USDA Zone 3b, with last frost around May 14 and first frost on September 30. A second sowing from July 8 to July 22 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Cilantro in Kittson County, MN

Cilantro
Kittson County, Minnesota Zone 3b June

June to-do list for Kittson County, Minnesota

Each item below is timed to Kittson County, Minnesota's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost May 14
Avg. first frost September 30
Soil temp (4") 62°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 15.9 hrs
  1. Time to start cilantro inside

    You're about 13 weeks out from your last frost — the perfect window to get these germinating indoors.

  2. It's harvest week for cilantro

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

Get ahead of July
  • First harvests: cilantro
  • Fall sowing: cilantro

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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.

Kittson County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 139 days.

At an elevation of 778 feet, Kittson County receives approximately 40.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 78°F, so choose short-season varieties of Cilantro to ensure they mature before fall.

Kittson County, MN (Zone 3b) Short season
139 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
139 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Kittson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Cilantro Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Aug 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 18 Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Sep 5

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 Kittson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–7.3) overlaps with Cilantro's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.8%) — Cilantro will thrive.

How to Plant Cilantro

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

Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Cilantro

4
successive plantings in your 139-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 01 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 08.

Cilantro Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/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 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Kittson 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 ~425 GDD — county provides 1,181 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline — Kittson County, MN

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 2 Apr 2 – Apr 16
Transplant Outdoors May 7 May 7 – May 21
Direct Sow May 7 May 7 – May 28
Harvest June 18 Jun 18 – Aug 20
Fall Sowing July 8 Jul 8 – Jul 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
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 3b

📆 Growing Season

139 days in Kittson County

Growing Tips for Cilantro in Kittson County

Direct sow Cilantro outdoors after May 14 in Kittson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 Kittson County, MN?

Kittson County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kittson County, MN?

Kittson County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is September 30.

When should I plant Cilantro in Kittson County, MN?

In Kittson County, MN, plant Cilantro after the last frost (around May 14) and before the first frost (around September 30). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Kittson County, MN for Cilantro?

Kittson County sits in USDA Zone 3b. Cilantro grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Cilantro grow in Kittson County's climate?

Yes — Cilantro grows well in Kittson County's temperate climate. Kittson County averages a 139-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 14 and first frost around September 30.

🌱

Your Kittson County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Kittson County (Zone 3b). 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 Kittson County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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