Kansas planting calendar

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

Kansas is mostly USDA zone 6b (range 5b-7a). Dates below are derived from cilantro's frost tolerance and Kansas's frost window — not generic national averages.

Cilantro planting timetable for Kansas

Stage	When in Kansas	Anchor
Direct-sow outside	late March (March 25)	21 days before the last frost (mid-April)
First harvest (estimate)	mid-May (May 14)	~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 Kansas's climate shifts the cilantro dates

Kansas's last spring frost averages mid-April and first fall frost late October, which sets the whole planting clock. Kansas has a long, hot, often windy continental season. Heat and drought stress matter as much as the winter low across the state. 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 mid-April — a hard freeze can still set young plants back. In the northwest High Plains (zone 5b) the safe date runs a week or two later.

Regional variation within Kansas

the northwest High Plains (zone 5b) runs roughly 1-2 weeks behind the state average; the south-central plains around Wichita (zone 7a) can plant 1-2 weeks earlier.

Wichita — USDA zone 7a
Kansas City — USDA zone 6b
Topeka — USDA zone 6b
Overland Park — USDA zone 6b

What else to plant in Kansas 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 Kansas?

In Kansas (mostly USDA zone 6b), direct-sow cilantro late March (before the last frost, mid-April), and harvest from mid-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 Kansas?

Most of Kansas sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b, with the state spanning roughly 5b-7a from the northwest High Plains (zone 5b) to the south-central plains around Wichita (zone 7a). The last spring frost averages mid-April and the first fall frost late October.

Can you grow cilantro in Kansas?

Yes. Kansas's dominant zone 6b 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 Kansas?

the northwest High Plains (zone 5b) runs roughly 1-2 weeks behind the state average; the south-central plains around Wichita (zone 7a) can plant 1-2 weeks earlier.

What else can I plant in Kansas 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.