Blog

When to plant Cilantro in Platte County, MO

Cilantro planted in Platte County between March 27 and April 17 matures in 40–60 days — well before the October 26 first frost. A second sowing from August 17 to August 31 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Cilantro in Platte County, MO

Cilantro
Platte County, Missouri Zone 6b July

Your July gardening checklist

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this July, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost April 10
Avg. first frost October 26
Soil temp (4") 83°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.5 hrs
  1. Bring in the cilantro

    If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.

To set up a strong August, finish these tasks
  • Fall sowing: cilantro

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Platte County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 199 days.

At an elevation of 1,021 feet, Platte County receives approximately 35.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Cilantro during the growing season.

Platte County, MO (Zone 6b) Moderate season
199 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
199 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Platte County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Cilantro Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jul 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jul 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Aug 1

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 Platte County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–7.0) overlaps with Cilantro's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.1%). Annual compost additions will help Cilantro.

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 199-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 27 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 17.

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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Platte 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 ~725 GDD — county provides 2,885 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline — Platte County, MO

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 6 Mar 6 – Mar 20
Transplant Outdoors April 3 Apr 3 – Apr 17
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 – Apr 17
Harvest May 15 May 15 – Jul 17
Fall Sowing August 17 Aug 17 – Aug 31

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

199 days in Platte County

Growing Tips for Cilantro in Platte County

Direct sow Cilantro outdoors after April 10 in Platte County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 199.0-day season in Platte 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 Platte County, MO?

Platte County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Platte County, MO?

Platte County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 26.

When should I plant Cilantro in Platte County, MO?

In Platte County, MO, plant Cilantro after the last frost (around April 10) and before the first frost (around October 26). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Platte County, MO for Cilantro?

Platte 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 Platte County's climate?

Yes — Cilantro grows well in Platte County's temperate climate. Platte County averages a 199-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 10 and first frost around October 26.

🌱

Your Platte County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Platte 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.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Platte County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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