When to plant cilantro in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

April 3 – April 17

Direct-sow outdoors · typical Sioux Falls year

Climate basis: NOAA station Sioux Falls, SD (USW00014944), 2 mi (3 km) from downtown Sioux Falls (ZCTA 57104 centroid), elevation 1430 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 1). One year in ten still freezes after May 14.

Last spring freezeMay 11-in-10 after May 14
First fall freezeOctober 61-in-10 before Sep 23
Frost-free season157 daysmedian at 32°F
Hard freeze, 28°Apr 22Oct 17kills even hardy greens
USDA zone5a-20 to -15°F winter low not frost timing

The Sioux Falls year

Direct-sow outdoorsApr 3 – Apr 17
  • indoors under lights
  • in the garden
  • frost-free season
  • 1-in-10 years still freeze to May 14
Cilantro in Sioux Falls · freeze context from Sioux Falls, SD, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Direct-sow outdoors

Apr 3 – Apr 17

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 1). 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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