Cilantro produces edible leaves and edible seeds, called coriander. It grows best during cool weather in spring or late fall. Summer heat causes the plants to quickly set seed and stop foliage production. Starting seeds indoors or purchasing seedlings provides plants mature enough to begin harvest production within a week or two of transplanting. Transplant the seedlings outdoors after the last spring frost or four to six weeks before the first expected fall frost.
Set the cilantro transplants outside in a location protected from heavy wind, rain and direct sunlight one week before planting. Leave the plants outside for two hours the first day. Increase the time spent outdoors over a one-week period so that the transplants adjust to outdoor conditions. Bring the cilantro indoors a frost is expected.
Amend a full-sun garden bed with a 2-inch layer of compost, working it into the top 6 inches of the garden soil with a hoe. Cilantro can tolerate some light afternoon shade.
Dig planting holes using a trowel to a depth equal to that of the transplant container. Leave 8 inches between planting holes in the row, setting the rows 12 inches apart.
Slide the cilantro plant's root ball and soil from the transplant pot. Set the root ball in the prepared planting hole so that the cilantro is at the same depth it was previously at in the pot.
Fill in the hole around the roots with soil and firm it in place with your hands. Water the bed immediately after planting so that the soil is moistened throughout the root zone.
Things You Will Need
- Garden hoe
- Watering can
- Cilantro may wilt slightly after transplanting, but the plants typically perk up within one to two days.
- Transplanting on a cloudy day helps prevent transplant shock. Too much sun right after transplanting can increase temporary wilting.
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