When to plant cilantro in Syracuse, New York

April 1 – April 15

Direct-sow outdoors · typical Syracuse year

Climate basis: NOAA station Syracuse Hancock INTL AP, NY (USW00014771), 5 mi (8 km) from downtown Syracuse (ZCTA 13202 centroid), elevation 413 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 29). One year in ten still freezes after May 13.

Last spring freezeApril 291-in-10 after May 13
First fall freezeOctober 191-in-10 before Oct 2
Frost-free season173 daysmedian at 32°F
Hard freeze, 28°Apr 16Nov 2kills even hardy greens
USDA zone6a-10 to -5°F winter low not frost timing

The Syracuse year

Direct-sow outdoorsApr 1 – Apr 15
  • indoors under lights
  • in the garden
  • frost-free season
  • 1-in-10 years still freeze to May 13
Cilantro in Syracuse · freeze context from Syracuse Hancock INTL AP, NY, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Direct-sow outdoors

Apr 1 – Apr 15

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 29). 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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