Georgia planting calendar

When to plant cilantro in Georgia — sow, transplant & harvest dates

Georgia is mostly USDA zone 8a (range 6b-9a). Dates below are derived from cilantro's frost tolerance and Georgia's frost window — not generic national averages.

Cilantro planting timetable for Georgia

Stage	When in Georgia	Anchor
Direct-sow outside	mid-March (March 15)	21 days before the last frost (early April)
First harvest (estimate)	early May (May 4)	~50 days from direct sow

Dates are state-wide averages for the dominant zone. Local microclimates — elevation, urban heat, coastal moderation — can shift the window by 1-2 weeks. Use the frost-date calculator for a date tuned to your town.

Why Georgia's climate shifts the cilantro dates

Georgia's last spring frost averages early April and first fall frost early November, which sets the whole planting clock. Georgia runs from cool mountains to a warm coastal plain, with a long humid season. Most of the state gardens in zone 8. Sow early — cilantro bolt once daytime temperatures hold above 24 °C, so the earlier they go in, the longer the harvest.

Cilantro resents transplanting and should always be direct-sown; its taproot breaks easily and transplant shock triggers immediate bolting. Sow 2-3 weeks before the last spring frost when soil is 10-29 °C, then succession-sow every 2-3 weeks through early summer, stopping once daytime temperatures consistently exceed 27 °C (80 °F) — above that threshold the plant bolts within days and goes straight to seed. In zones 8-11 cilantro is best grown as a fall and winter crop.

Frost-risk note

Don't plant before early April — a hard freeze can still set young plants back. In the Blue Ridge mountains in the north (zone 6b) the safe date runs a week or two later.

Regional variation within Georgia

the Blue Ridge mountains in the north (zone 6b) runs roughly 1-2 weeks behind the state average; the Atlantic coast around Savannah (zone 9a) can plant 1-2 weeks earlier.

Atlanta — USDA zone 8a
Savannah — USDA zone 9a
Augusta — USDA zone 8b
Columbus — USDA zone 8b
Macon — USDA zone 8b

What else to plant in Georgia around then

The same early window suits peas, lettuce, spinach, and onion sets.

Quick-grow guide

Sun: Full sun to partial shade — 4-6 hours direct.
Soil temperature for germination: 10-29 °C (50-85 °F).
Spacing: 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) between plants.
Days to harvest: ~50 days from planting out.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to plant cilantro in Georgia?

In Georgia (mostly USDA zone 8a), direct-sow cilantro mid-March (before the last frost, early April), and harvest from early May. Cilantro are half-hardy — young plants shrug off a light frost but not a hard freeze, so sowing can start a couple of weeks before the last spring frost.

What USDA zone is Georgia?

Most of Georgia sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a, with the state spanning roughly 6b-9a from the Blue Ridge mountains in the north (zone 6b) to the Atlantic coast around Savannah (zone 9a). The last spring frost averages early April and the first fall frost early November.

Can you grow cilantro in Georgia?

Yes. Georgia's dominant zone 8a supports cilantro — the key is timing. Cilantro are half-hardy — young plants shrug off a light frost but not a hard freeze, so sowing can start a couple of weeks before the last spring frost.

Does the planting date change across Georgia?

the Blue Ridge mountains in the north (zone 6b) runs roughly 1-2 weeks behind the state average; the Atlantic coast around Savannah (zone 9a) can plant 1-2 weeks earlier.

What else can I plant in Georgia around the same time?

The same early window suits peas, lettuce, spinach, and onion sets.

Source and methodology

State zone spans from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023); frost-date averages from NOAA Climate Data Online. Hot-state two-season timing cross-checked against the UF/IFAS Florida Gardening Calendar and the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension planting calendar. Curated by the Growli editorial team.