When to plant cilantro in Colorado Springs, Colorado

April 5 – April 19

Direct-sow outdoors · typical Colorado Springs year

Climate basis: NOAA station Colorado Springs Muni AP, CO (USW00093037), 7 mi (11 km) from downtown Colorado Springs (ZCTA 80903 centroid), elevation 6181 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Direct-sow cilantro from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (May 3). One year in ten still freezes after May 15.

Last spring freezeMay 31-in-10 after May 15
First fall freezeOctober 81-in-10 before Sep 26
Frost-free season158 daysmedian at 32°F
Hard freeze, 28°Apr 24Oct 16kills even hardy greens
USDA zone6a-10 to -5°F winter low not frost timing

The Colorado Springs year

Direct-sow outdoorsApr 5 – Apr 19
  • indoors under lights
  • in the garden
  • frost-free season
  • 1-in-10 years still freeze to May 15
Cilantro in Colorado Springs · freeze context from Colorado Springs Muni AP, CO, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Direct-sow outdoors

Apr 5 – Apr 19

Oklahoma State: sow two to four weeks before the last spring frost (with a second sowing in late summer for fall harvest). Cilantro bolts in heat — sow early. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (May 3). Oklahoma State University Extension

Start seeds indoors

Not calculated

Cilantro is tap-rooted and resents transplanting; the cited guide times direct sowing only.

Transplant outdoors

Not calculated

The cited extension guides do not time an outdoor transplanting window for this crop.

Fall planting

Not calculated

No source-backed fall planting rule exists for this crop in the registry, so no fall window is calculated.

Variety assumption: Leaf harvest begins about 40–50 days from sowing; bolts quickly in warm weather.

These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.

This week, not a typical year:
Crop rule sources (1)

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