When to plant cilantro in Reno, Nevada

March 31 – April 14

Direct-sow outdoors · typical Reno year

Climate basis: NOAA station Reno Wfo, NV (USC00266791), 3 mi (5 km) from downtown Reno (ZCTA 89501 centroid), elevation 4987 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Direct-sow cilantro from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (April 28). One year in ten still freezes after May 19.

Last spring freezeApril 281-in-10 after May 19
First fall freezeOctober 271-in-10 before Oct 10
Frost-free season182 daysmedian at 32°F
Hard freeze, 28°Apr 10Nov 8kills even hardy greens
USDA zone7b5 to 10°F winter low not frost timing

The Reno year

Direct-sow outdoorsMar 31 – Apr 14
  • indoors under lights
  • in the garden
  • frost-free season
  • 1-in-10 years still freeze to May 19
Cilantro in Reno · freeze context from Reno Wfo, NV, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Direct-sow outdoors

Mar 31 – Apr 14

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 (Apr 28). 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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