Heirloom Cilantro

ANNUAL

Spring/summer/fall harvest
Can handle light frosts

START OUTDOORS DIRECTLY INTO THE GARDEN

In early spring, sow cilantro seed directly into well-drained fertile soil 1 to 2 inches apart in wide rows in full sun. Cover 1/2 inch deep and firm soil over seeds. Keep seed bed evenly moist as seedlings emerge over 10 to 20 days. Make new sowings every few weeks until mid summer for continuous harvests of fresh leaves. Plant again in cool fall weather. Thin plants 3 to 4 inches apart before they get crowded so seedlings have room to grow.

GROWING AND HARVEST NOTES

To have a consistent supply of fresh leaves, sow wide rows of cilantro seeds successively every 2 weeks from early spring through early summer. Keep your cilantro patch at its best tasting leafy stage longer by thinning seedlings early and keeping plants well watered. Plant again when weather cools for a quick and tasty fall crop. Cilantro plants will inevitably flower and then set seed quickly when plants get mature. Their lacy white blossoms attract beneficial insects, butterflies and pollinating bees to the garden. The fragrant round seeds that follow the flowers are called coriander, a wonderfully aromatic spice used in baking.