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When to plant cilantro in zone 5b

In zone 5b, where the last spring frost typically comes around May 1, start cilantro indoors March 20 to April 3 and plant out May 1 to 8.

The zone 5b schedule for cilantro

Start seeds indoors
March 20 to April 3
Plant out
May 1 to 8
Sow outdoors
April 3 to May 8

From the median frost dates of the NOAA stations assigned to the 2,546 ZIP codes in zone 5b, and the timing recommended by Cooperative Extension guides for cilantro.

Frost risk in zone 5b

Zones are based on winter cold, not on frost dates, so the last spring frost varies a lot within a zone. Across zone 5b, the typical last frost ranges from about April 21 in the earliest tenth of ZIP codes to May 18 in the latest tenth, and the first fall frost from September 30 to October 19. For a typical place in the zone:

  • April 18Risky: a later frost happens in 9 years out of 10
  • May 1Typical: frost after this date in half of years
  • May 16Safe: a later frost only 1 year in 10

Your dates for cilantro

Set your ZIP code at the top of the page and we will work out when to plant cilantro where you live, from the frost records of the nearest NOAA weather station. Your ZIP code is remembered on this device only.

Enter your ZIP code

Cilantro in zone 5b cities

CityTypical last frostStart indoorsPlant out
Milwaukee, WIApr 19Mar 8 to 22Apr 19 to 26
Madison, WIMay 1Mar 20 to Apr 3May 1 to 8
Des Moines, IAApr 18Mar 7 to 21Apr 18 to 25
Aurora, ILApr 19Mar 8 to 22Apr 19 to 26
Fort Collins, COMay 2Mar 21 to Apr 4May 2 to 9
Naperville, ILApr 19Mar 8 to 22Apr 19 to 26
Rockford, ILApr 24Mar 13 to 27Apr 24 to May 1
Elgin, ILApr 26Mar 15 to 29Apr 26 to May 3
Greeley, COMay 2Mar 21 to Apr 4May 2 to 9
Green Bay, WIApr 30Mar 19 to Apr 2Apr 30 to May 7
Davenport, IAApr 19Mar 8 to 22Apr 19 to 26
Longmont, COMay 6Mar 25 to Apr 8May 6 to 13

How to grow cilantroAll zonesCilantro in zone 5aCilantro in zone 6aAbout zone 5b

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