When to plant cilantro in zone 3b — planting calendar

Growing SeasonZone 3b

Last frost ~May 6First frost ~Oct 22Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

APRMAYJUNJUL

Start indoors May 6 · Sow May 6 · First harvest May 27 · Wrap by Jun 24

Last spring frostMay 6

Start seeds indoorsMay 6

Direct sowMay 6

First harvestMay 27

Last harvestJun 24

Fall succession sowSep 10

First fall frostOct 22

Why these dates work in zone 3b

Zone 3b's last spring frost averages May 6 and first fall frost Oct 22 — about 169 frost-free days. Cilantro tolerates light frost, so you can sow ahead of the last-frost date and keep harvesting into the cooler fall. Starting seeds indoors 0 weeks ahead gives strong transplants ready the moment the soil warms. There's also room for a fall succession sowing around Sep 10 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does cilantro take to grow in zone 3b?

Cilantro matures in about 21–28 days from sowing. In zone 3b that means sowing around May 6 and first picking around May 27.

Will cilantro survive frost in zone 3b?

Yes — cilantro tolerates light frost. In zone 3b you can sow a little before the last frost (around May 6) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 22).

Can I plant a second crop of cilantro in zone 3b?

Yes — in zone 3b there's time for a fall sowing around Sep 10 for a second harvest before frost.

For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full cilantro growing guide →

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