When to Plant Cilantro in Adair County, MO
Adair County, Missouri gardeners: here's your April plan
We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Adair County, Missouri this April and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.
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Harden off and plant cilantro
Water the tray well an hour before you transplant. Roots slide out cleanly and settle in faster.
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Direct-sow cilantro
These tolerate cool soil, so you're not gambling by sowing now.
A few tasks this April that'll pay off in May
- Starting indoors: cilantro
- 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.
Adair County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 183 days.
At an elevation of 1,327 feet, Adair County receives approximately 34.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Cilantro during the growing season.
Adair County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.8-6.7
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 Adair County
How your county's soil matches Cilantro's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.8–6.7) overlaps with Cilantro's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Adair County is excellent for Cilantro — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Cilantro.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.0%). Annual compost additions will help Cilantro.
How to Plant Cilantro
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Cilantro
Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 18 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 08.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
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 | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 2.2" | 3.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 2.2" | 3.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 4.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.2" | 3.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 4.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 2.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.2" | 2.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 2.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 2.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Adair 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 Planting Timeline — Adair County, MO
Cilantro Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 13 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 10 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Direct Sow | April 3 | Apr 3 – Apr 24 |
| Harvest | May 22 | May 22 – Jul 24 |
| Fall Sowing | August 8 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| 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 5b
📆 Growing Season
183 days in Adair County
Growing Tips for Cilantro in Adair County
Direct sow Cilantro outdoors after April 17 in Adair County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 183.0-day season in Adair 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Cilantro in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Cilantro in Adair County, MO?
Adair County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 17. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Adair County, MO?
Adair County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 17 and first fall frost is October 17.
Your Adair County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Adair County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.