When to plant cilantro in Cottage Grove, OR

Plant cilantro from seed, directly in the garden in Cottage Grove, Mar 13 – May 1. For a fall harvest, plant again Aug 27 – Sep 10.

Easy Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

Cottage Grove's typical last spring frost is April 24. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop can go in about 6 weeks before that.

West-side valleys. The Willamette Valley, Puget Sound and southern Oregon valleys. Long frost-free seasons, but soil stays cold and wet into May, so warm crops wait for warm soil, not just the last frost.

Difficulty: Easy
Sun: Full sun; afternoon shade in summer
Spacing: 4 inches apart
Planting depth: ¼ inch deep
Frost: Handles light frost
First harvest: About 50 days after planting

Step by step

Prepare the bed: loosen the soil and mix in an inch or two of compost.
Plant seeds Mar 13 – May 1, ¼ inch deep, 4 inches apart.
Keep the soil evenly moist until sprouts appear, which can take one to three weeks in cool soil.
Plant again Aug 27 – Sep 10 for a fall harvest.
Harvest: Cut leaves once plants are about 6 inches tall. If it bolts, let it go to seed and harvest the coriander.

Varieties that do well here

Calypso (slow to bolt)
Santo
Leisure

Watch out for

Bolting in warm weather. Look for slow-bolt varieties and sow little and often.

Bolts fast in summer heat. Sow a short row every three weeks in spring, and again in late summer for fall.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Cottage Grove, OR?

Typically April 24. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 10. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Cottage Grove.

Is it too late to plant cilantro in Cottage Grove?

The spring planting window runs through May 1. If you miss it, plant again for fall from August 27 to September 10.

How long until I can harvest cilantro?

About 50 days after planting. Cut leaves once plants are about 6 inches tall. If it bolts, let it go to seed and harvest the coriander.

Also plant in Cottage Grove around the same time

Planting dates for cilantro in nearby areas

Salem, OR Mar 1 – Apr 19
Eugene, OR Mar 1 – Apr 19
McMinnville and Newberg, OR Mar 4 – Apr 22
Corvallis and Albany, OR Mar 1 – Apr 19
Portland, OR Mar 1 – Apr 19
Gresham, OR Mar 1 – Apr 19

Full planting calendar for Cottage Grove · Cilantro in every city