When to plant cilantro in zone 4a — planting calendar

Not your zone?

Showing USDA Zone 4A

Growing SeasonZone 4a

Last frost ~May 20First frost ~Sep 20Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MAYJUNJUL

Start indoors May 20 · Sow May 20 · First harvest Jun 10 · Wrap by Jul 8

Last spring frostMay 20

Start seeds indoorsMay 20

Direct sowMay 20

First harvestJun 10

Last harvestJul 8

Fall succession sowAug 9

First fall frostSep 20

Why these dates work in zone 4a

Zone 4a's last spring frost averages May 20 and first fall frost Sep 20 — about 123 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 Aug 9 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 20 and first picking around Jun 10.

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 20) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Sep 20).

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

Yes — in zone 4a there's time for a fall sowing around Aug 9 for a second harvest before frost.

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