When to plant cilantro in zone 5a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 5A

Growing SeasonZone 5a

Last frost ~May 10First frost ~Oct 1Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

APRMAYJUNJUL

Start indoors May 10 · Sow May 10 · First harvest May 31 · Wrap by Jun 28

Last spring frostMay 10

Start seeds indoorsMay 10

Direct sowMay 10

First harvestMay 31

Last harvestJun 28

Fall succession sowAug 20

First fall frostOct 1

Why these dates work in zone 5a

Zone 5a's last spring frost averages May 10 and first fall frost Oct 1 — about 144 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 20 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does cilantro take to grow in zone 5a?

Cilantro matures in about 21–28 days from sowing. In zone 5a that means sowing around May 10 and first picking around May 31.

Will cilantro survive frost in zone 5a?

Yes — cilantro tolerates light frost. In zone 5a you can sow a little before the last frost (around May 10) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 1).

Can I plant a second crop of cilantro in zone 5a?

Yes — in zone 5a there's time for a fall sowing around Aug 20 for a second harvest before frost.

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