When to plant cilantro in zone 6a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 6A

Growing SeasonZone 6a

Last frost ~Apr 30First frost ~Oct 10Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

APRMAYJUN

Start indoors Apr 30 · Sow Apr 30 · First harvest May 21 · Wrap by Jun 18

Last spring frostApr 30

Start seeds indoorsApr 30

Direct sowApr 30

First harvestMay 21

Last harvestJun 18

Fall succession sowAug 29

First fall frostOct 10

Why these dates work in zone 6a

Zone 6a's last spring frost averages Apr 30 and first fall frost Oct 10 — about 163 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 29 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does cilantro take to grow in zone 6a?

Cilantro matures in about 21–28 days from sowing. In zone 6a that means sowing around Apr 30 and first picking around May 21.

Will cilantro survive frost in zone 6a?

Yes — cilantro tolerates light frost. In zone 6a you can sow a little before the last frost (around Apr 30) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 10).

Can I plant a second crop of cilantro in zone 6a?

Yes — in zone 6a there's time for a fall sowing around Aug 29 for a second harvest before frost.

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