Rainline Garden My garden plan
A dense patch of cilantro leaves
Photo: Pexels

When to plant cilantro in Oregon City and West Linn, OR

Plant cilantro from seed, directly in the garden in Oregon City and West Linn, Mar 1 – Apr 19. For a fall harvest, plant again Aug 27 – Sep 10.

Easy Plant seeds in the ground

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

Why these dates

Oregon City and West Linn's typical last spring frost is March 18. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the west-side valleys, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about March 1.

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.

How to grow cilantro in Oregon City and West Linn

  1. Prepare the bed: loosen the soil and mix in an inch or two of compost.
  2. Plant seeds Mar 1 – Apr 19, ¼ inch deep, 4 inches apart.
  3. Keep the soil evenly moist until sprouts appear, which can take one to three weeks in cool soil.
  4. Plant again Aug 27 – Sep 10 for a fall harvest.
  5. Harvest: Cut leaves once plants are about 6 inches tall. If it bolts, let it go to seed and harvest the coriander.

Key numbers

Growing notes

What makes the difference in Northwest gardens, in plain language.

Soil and sowing

Cilantro grows best in fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of about 6.2 to 6.8 and steady moisture. It has a taproot and doesn't transplant well, so sow it directly where it will grow. Each round "seed" is actually a husk holding two seeds; gently cracking them before sowing can speed sprouting. Keep the soil damp until seedlings appear, usually within one to three weeks.

Why cilantro bolts

Cilantro is programmed to flower once days grow long and warm. Heat, dry soil and crowding all speed it up. Once a tall flower stalk rises, the leaves turn thin and feathery and the flavor changes. You can't stop it, but you can work around it: sow a short row every three weeks, give summer sowings afternoon shade, and grow slow-bolt varieties like Calypso, Santo and Leisure. In the Northwest, the most reliable crops come from early spring and late summer sowings. East of the Cascades, summer heat ends spring cilantro quickly, so early sowing matters even more.

Harvest, coriander, and winter

Cut leaves once plants are about 6 inches tall, taking the outer stems and leaving the center to regrow. Fresh cilantro keeps a week or so in the fridge with stems in a glass of water and a bag over the top. If plants bolt, let them flower: the blooms feed beneficial insects, and the seeds become coriander. Harvest when the seeds turn tan and dry them in a paper bag. West of the Cascades, a late summer sowing often survives mild winters and gives a spring harvest.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Oregon City and West Linn, OR?

Typically March 18. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by April 11. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Oregon City.

Is it too late to plant cilantro in Oregon City and West Linn?

The spring planting window runs through April 19. 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.

Why does my cilantro keep going to seed?

Cilantro naturally bolts as days lengthen and warm up. Sow small batches every few weeks, grow slow-bolt varieties, and give summer plantings some shade. Spring and fall crops last much longer than summer ones.

Can I grow cilantro from coriander seeds?

Yes. Coriander is cilantro seed, and whole seeds from the spice aisle often sprout. Seed packets sold for growing are more reliable and may be slow-bolting types.

How do I harvest cilantro so it keeps growing?

Cut the outer stems near the base and leave the young center stems in place. Take no more than about a third of the plant at once. It will keep producing until it starts to bolt.

Also plant in Oregon City and West Linn around the same time

Planting dates for cilantro in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Oregon City and West Linn · Cilantro in every city