When to plant cilantro in zone 4a — planting calendar

Growing SeasonZone 4a

Last frost ~May 7First frost ~Oct 13Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

APRMAYJUNJUL

Start indoors May 7 · Sow May 7 · First harvest May 28 · Wrap by Jun 25

Last spring frostMay 7

Start seeds indoorsMay 7

Direct sowMay 7

First harvestMay 28

Last harvestJun 25

Fall succession sowSep 1

First fall frostOct 13

Why these dates work in zone 4a

Zone 4a's last spring frost averages May 7 and first fall frost Oct 13 — about 159 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 1 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does cilantro take to grow in zone 4a?

Cilantro matures in about 21–28 days from sowing. In zone 4a that means sowing around May 7 and first picking around May 28.

Will cilantro survive frost in zone 4a?

Yes — cilantro tolerates light frost. In zone 4a you can sow a little before the last frost (around May 7) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 13).

Can I plant a second crop of cilantro in zone 4a?

Yes — in zone 4a there's time for a fall sowing around Sep 1 for a second harvest before frost.

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

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