When To Plant Cilantro In Arkansas

The best time to plant cilantro in Arkansas is during the cool seasons of early spring and fall.
 
If you’ve been wondering when to plant cilantro in Arkansas, the key is to avoid the hot summer months.
 
You can plant cilantro in Arkansas as soon as the soil can be worked in late February or March.
 
And then you’ll get another great window to plant cilantro in Arkansas from September through October.
 
In this post, we’ll break down the ideal timing for planting cilantro in Arkansas, how to handle the heat, and tips for a continuous harvest.
 
Let’s dig into the details.
 

When to Plant Cilantro in Arkansas: The Perfect Windows

The best time to plant cilantro in Arkansas depends on your local frost dates and the plant’s love for cool weather.
 
Cilantro thrives when temperatures stay between 50°F and 85°F, which makes Arkansas’s spring and fall perfect.
 
Here’s how to time your planting cilantro in Arkansas for success.
 

1. Early Spring Planting for Cilantro in Arkansas

The first ideal window to plant cilantro in Arkansas is in late winter or very early spring.
 
You should sow cilantro seeds directly into your garden about two to four weeks before your last expected frost.
 
For most of Arkansas, that last frost date falls between late March and mid-April, depending on your zone.
 
So, aim to plant cilantro in Arkansas from late February through mid-March.
 
The soil is often cool but workable, and cilantro seeds actually germinate best in soil temperatures around 55°F to 68°F.
 
This early start lets you harvest fresh cilantro before the summer heat arrives.
 

2. Fall Planting for Cilantro in Arkansas

The second and often more successful time to plant cilantro in Arkansas is in the fall.
 
Once the intense summer heat breaks, you can plant cilantro in Arkansas again starting in early September.
 
For a steady supply, sow seeds every two to three weeks from September through early October.
 
Fall cilantro tends to be more robust because the cooler nights and shorter days slow down bolting.
 
This means you get a longer harvest period compared to spring.
 

3. Overwintering Cilantro in Arkansas

In southern Arkansas, you can sometimes plant cilantro in Arkansas in late October for a winter harvest.
 
Cilantro can survive light frosts, especially if you provide some protection like a row cover.
 
This allows you to enjoy fresh cilantro through December or even into early spring.
 
If you live in northern Arkansas, you might still overwinter it in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse.
 

Why Timing Matters When You Plant Cilantro in Arkansas

Understanding when to plant cilantro in Arkansas is all about working with the plant’s natural life cycle.
 
Cilantro is a cool-season annual, meaning it prefers mild temperatures and will bolt quickly in heat.
 
Bolting is when the plant sends up a flower stalk, which makes the leaves turn bitter and inedible.
 

1. Heat Triggers Bolting

When you plant cilantro in Arkansas during the summer, the hot days and warm nights signal it to go to seed.
 
Daytime temperatures above 85°F will cause cilantro to bolt within days.
 
This is the number one reason why summer-planted cilantro fails.
 
So, timing your planting to avoid this heat is crucial.
 

2. Cool Weather Enhances Flavor

Cilantro grown in cooler weather has a fresher, more aromatic flavor.
 
The cooler temperatures slow down the plant’s growth, allowing the essential oils to develop fully.
 
This is why fall-planted cilantro in Arkansas often tastes better than spring-planted.
 

3. Succession Planting Extends the Harvest

Instead of planting all your cilantro at once, use succession planting.
 
You can plant cilantro in Arkansas every two to three weeks during the early spring and fall windows.
 
This ensures you always have a fresh supply ready to pick.
 
It also prevents you from having too much cilantro all at once.
 

How to Plant Cilantro in Arkansas for the Best Results

Once you know the right time to plant cilantro in Arkansas, you need to get the method right.
 
Cilantro prefers well-drained soil with a pH between 6.2 and 6.8.
 
It also loves full sun in the cooler months, but can handle partial shade if things warm up quickly.
 

1. Sow Seeds Directly

Cilantro has a taproot, so it doesn’t transplant well.
 
This means you should always sow seeds directly where you want them to grow.
 
Plant the seeds about a quarter-inch deep and one to two inches apart.
 
You can thin the seedlings to six inches apart once they have a few sets of true leaves.
 

2. Keep Soil Moist but Not Soggy

Consistent moisture is key when you plant cilantro in Arkansas.
 
Cilantro plants will bolt faster if the soil dries out completely.
 
Water deeply once or twice a week, depending on rainfall.
 
A layer of mulch around the plants helps retain moisture and keep the roots cool.
 

3. Provide Afternoon Shade in Early Fall

If you plant cilantro in Arkansas in early September, the days are still warm.
 
Give your cilantro some afternoon shade to delay bolting.
 
You can use a shade cloth or plant them near taller crops like tomatoes or beans.
 

Extending Your Cilantro Harvest in Arkansas

Even with the right timing, cilantro can still bolt if we get a sudden warm spell.
 
Here are some tricks to keep your harvest going.
 

1. Pinch Off Flower Buds

As soon as you see flower buds forming, pinch them off immediately.
 
This won’t stop the plant from eventually bolting, but it prolongs the leaf production.
 

2. Harvest Regularly

The more you cut cilantro leaves, the more the plant produces.
 
Use sharp scissors to snip off the outer leaves at the base.
 
This encourages new growth from the center of the plant.
 

3. Let Some Go to Seed

If your cilantro does bolt, let it flower and produce seeds, which are actually coriander.
 
These seeds will fall to the ground and often self-sow.
 
This can give you a new crop of cilantro without having to replant.
 

So, When Is the Best Time to Plant Cilantro in Arkansas?

The best time to plant cilantro in Arkansas is in the cool weeks of early spring and again in early fall.
 
You can plant cilantro in Arkansas from late February to mid-March for a spring harvest.
 
And you can plant cilantro in Arkansas again from early September to mid-October for a fall harvest.
 
Avoid planting in the late spring or summer months because the heat will cause cilantro to bolt.
 
With the right timing, you can enjoy fresh, flavorful cilantro for most of the year.
 
So, mark your calendar and get those seeds in the ground at the right time.
 
Happy planting!