Blog

When to Plant Cilantro in Wellington, ON

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.

Wellington, Ontario is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 200 days.

At an elevation of 1,095 feet, Wellington receives approximately 39.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Cilantro to ensure they mature before fall. Clay soil retains moisture well for Cilantro, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot.

Wellington, ON (Zone 7a) Long season
200 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
200 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Wellington Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Cilantro

Cilantro needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" 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 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Wellington). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Cilantro Planting Timeline — Wellington, ON

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 18 Aug 18 – Sep 1

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 Fall Sowing
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

40–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

200 days in Wellington

Growing Tips for Wellington

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 Wellington, ON?

Wellington is in Zone 7a 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 Wellington, ON?

Wellington, Ontario is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 27.

🌱

Your Wellington Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Wellington (Zone 7a). 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 Wellington, ON. 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.