When to plant cilantro in zone 4b — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 4B

Growing SeasonZone 4b

Last frost ~May 15First frost ~Sep 25Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MAYJUNJUL

Start indoors May 15 · Sow May 15 · First harvest Jun 5 · Wrap by Jul 3

Last spring frostMay 15

Start seeds indoorsMay 15

Direct sowMay 15

First harvestJun 5

Last harvestJul 3

Fall succession sowAug 14

First fall frostSep 25

Why these dates work in zone 4b

Zone 4b's last spring frost averages May 15 and first fall frost Sep 25 — about 133 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 14 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

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

Cilantro matures in about 21–28 days from sowing. In zone 4b that means sowing around May 15 and first picking around Jun 5.

Will cilantro survive frost in zone 4b?

Yes — cilantro tolerates light frost. In zone 4b you can sow a little before the last frost (around May 15) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Sep 25).

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

Yes — in zone 4b there's time for a fall sowing around Aug 14 for a second harvest before frost.

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