Wyoming planting calendar

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

Wyoming is mostly USDA zone 4b (range 3a-6a). Dates below are derived from cilantro's frost tolerance and Wyoming's frost window — not generic national averages.

Cilantro planting timetable for Wyoming

Stage	When in Wyoming	Anchor
Direct-sow outside	early May (May 4)	21 days before the last frost (late May)
First harvest (estimate)	late June (June 23)	~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 Wyoming's climate shifts the cilantro dates

Wyoming's last spring frost averages late May and first fall frost mid-September, which sets the whole planting clock. Wyoming is a high, cold, short-season state. Altitude and wind matter as much as the winter low; frost can come in any summer month at elevation. 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 late May — a hard freeze can still set young plants back. In the high mountain basins like Jackson Hole (zone 3a) the safe date runs a week or two later.

Regional variation within Wyoming

the high mountain basins like Jackson Hole (zone 3a) runs roughly 1-2 weeks behind the state average; the lower southeast plains near Cheyenne (zone 6a) can plant 1-2 weeks earlier.

Cheyenne — USDA zone 5b
Casper — USDA zone 5a
Jackson — USDA zone 4a
Sheridan — USDA zone 5a

What else to plant in Wyoming 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 Wyoming?

In Wyoming (mostly USDA zone 4b), direct-sow cilantro early May (before the last frost, late May), and harvest from late June. 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 Wyoming?

Most of Wyoming sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b, with the state spanning roughly 3a-6a from the high mountain basins like Jackson Hole (zone 3a) to the lower southeast plains near Cheyenne (zone 6a). The last spring frost averages late May and the first fall frost mid-September.

Can you grow cilantro in Wyoming?

Yes. Wyoming's dominant zone 4b 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 Wyoming?

the high mountain basins like Jackson Hole (zone 3a) runs roughly 1-2 weeks behind the state average; the lower southeast plains near Cheyenne (zone 6a) can plant 1-2 weeks earlier.

What else can I plant in Wyoming 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.