When to Plant Cilantro in Florence County, WI
May in the garden — Florence County, Wisconsin
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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Plant out cilantro
Harden off for 7 days — a little more sun each day — before planting. That's the difference between a seedling that thrives and one that stalls.
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Sow cilantro where they'll grow
Rake a smooth bed, make a shallow furrow, drop seeds at the spacing on the packet, water gently, walk away.
Looking ahead to June
- 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.
Florence County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 26 and the first fall frost is September 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 118 days.
At an elevation of 1,147 feet, Florence County receives approximately 34.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Cilantro to ensure they mature before fall.
Florence County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.8-6.8
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 Florence County
How your county's soil matches Cilantro's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.8–6.8) overlaps with Cilantro's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Florence County is excellent for Cilantro — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.4%) — Cilantro will thrive.
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
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 | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 3.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 2.2" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.2" | 3.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 2.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | — | 2.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Florence 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 — Florence County, WI
Cilantro Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 14 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 19 | May 19 – Jun 2 |
| Direct Sow | May 19 | May 19 – Jun 9 |
| Harvest | June 30 | Jun 30 – Sep 1 |
| 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 | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Fall Sowing Harvest |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| 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 4b
📆 Growing Season
118 days in Florence County
Growing Tips for Cilantro in Florence County
Direct sow Cilantro outdoors after May 26 in Florence 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 Florence County, WI?
Florence County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 26. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Florence County, WI?
Florence County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 26 and first fall frost is September 21.
Your Florence County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Florence County (Zone 4b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.