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When to Plant Cilantro in Burnett County, WI

Burnett County, Wisconsin Zone 4a May

Top priorities for Burnett County, Wisconsin gardeners in May

May is a pivotal month for Burnett County, Wisconsin gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost May 15
Avg. first frost September 27
Soil temp (4") 50°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Transplant cilantro outside

    Water the tray well an hour before you transplant. Roots slide out cleanly and settle in faster.

  2. Scatter cilantro into prepared beds

    Sow every 2 weeks for a continuous harvest. A single big planting means a single big glut.

June will be here before you know it — start on
  • Starting indoors: cilantro
  • First harvests: 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.

Burnett County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is September 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 135 days.

At an elevation of 574 feet, Burnett County receives approximately 30.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 79°F, so choose short-season varieties of Cilantro to ensure they mature before fall.

Burnett County, WI (Zone 4a) Short season
135 days
Last Spring Frost May 15
135 growing days
First Fall Frost September 27

Burnett County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (34 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Aug 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (34 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 Burnett 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 Burnett County is excellent for Cilantro — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Cilantro.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.6%) — 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

3
successive plantings in your 135-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 29 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 05.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Burnett 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 ~462 GDD — county provides 1,248 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline — Burnett County, WI

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 July 5 Jul 5 – Jul 19

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 4a

📆 Growing Season

135 days in Burnett County

Growing Tips for Cilantro in Burnett County

Direct sow Cilantro outdoors after May 15 in Burnett 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 Burnett County, WI?

Burnett 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 Burnett County, WI?

Burnett County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 15 and first fall frost is September 27.

🌱

Your Burnett County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Burnett 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.

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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 Burnett County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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