When to plant cilantro in zone 5b — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 5B

Growing SeasonZone 5b

Last frost ~May 15First frost ~Sep 30Today

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 19

First fall frostSep 30

Why these dates work in zone 5b

Zone 5b's last spring frost averages May 15 and first fall frost Sep 30 — about 138 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 19 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

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

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

Will cilantro survive frost in zone 5b?

Yes — cilantro tolerates light frost. In zone 5b you can sow a little before the last frost (around May 15) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Sep 30).

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

Yes — in zone 5b there's time for a fall sowing around Aug 19 for a second harvest before frost.

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