When to Plant Cilantro in McKenzie County, ND
McKenzie County, North Dakota gardeners: here's your May plan
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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Get cilantro in the ground
Frost risk is low now in McKenzie County, North Dakota. If you've been covering beds overnight, you can stop.
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Outdoor sowing time: cilantro
Mark the row. Birds and stray feet both have opinions about unmarked beds.
Before June arrives, get these ready
- Starting indoors: cilantro
- First harvests: cilantro
- Fall sowing: 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.
McKenzie County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is September 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 129 days.
At an elevation of 1,124 feet, McKenzie County receives approximately 27.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Cilantro to ensure they mature before fall.
McKenzie County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.2-7.6
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 McKenzie County
How your county's soil matches Cilantro's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.2–7.6) overlaps with Cilantro's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in McKenzie County is excellent for Cilantro — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.3%). Annual compost additions will help Cilantro.
How to Plant Cilantro
Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Cilantro
Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 23 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jun 29.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 10/10 — 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 | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 3.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 2.2" | 2.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 1.9" | 0.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 2.2" | 2.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 2.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 2.1" | 0.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in McKenzie 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 — McKenzie County, ND
Cilantro Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 3 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 8 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Direct Sow | May 8 | May 8 – May 29 |
| Harvest | June 19 | Jun 19 – Aug 21 |
| Fall Sowing | June 29 | Jun 29 – Jul 13 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Fall Sowing 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 4a
📆 Growing Season
129 days in McKenzie County
Growing Tips for Cilantro in McKenzie County
Direct sow Cilantro outdoors after May 15 in McKenzie 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Cilantro in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Cilantro in McKenzie County, ND?
McKenzie County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 15. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is McKenzie County, ND?
McKenzie County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 15 and first fall frost is September 21.
Your McKenzie County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for McKenzie County (Zone 4a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.