CILANTRO - Open Pollinated Coriander Seeds

Sow seeds directly in the soil in the spring after the last frost or in the fall, 1cm (½”) deep, about 8cm (5”) apart in rows 15cm (6”) apart. Plant the seeds in light, well-drained soil. It is important to keep the seeds moist during their germination, so remember to water the plants regularly. Sow the seeds at 2-week intervals for continued harvest. Cilantro develops a tap root like a short, white carrot, so it requires deep soil to prosper. 

THIN: Thin seedlings to 6 inches apart so that they have room to develop healthy leaves. 

WATER AND FEED: Keep seedlings well-watered throughout the growing season. They require about 1 inch of water per week for best growth. Once the plants are established, they do not need as much water per week. Keep them moist but be careful not to overwater them. Feeding is not necessary if there is sufficient organic matter in the soil. 

PROTECT: To help prevent weeds, mulch around the plants as soon as they are visible above the soil. You can also till shallowly to help prevent root damage from weeds. To control insects, use insecticidal soap once they are spotted under leaves. Clean up debris and spent plants to avoid wilt and mildew. 

BOLTING: Do not grow in summer heat as the plants will bolt (such that it will be past harvesting). The leaves that grow on bolted plants tend to be bitter in flavor. When the weather gets warm, the plant will quickly finish its life cycle and send up a long stalk which will produce blossoms and later seeds. 

Once the plants have grown to at least six inches tall, you may begin harvesting cilantro leaves. Pick leaves off individually or choose small stalks to trim with scissors for fresh use. Harvest fresh cilantro leaves throughout the cool weather growing season, until the plant bolts; after it bolts, the leaves will taste bitter. Cilantro leaves can be eaten fresh or dried and stored in an airtight container. 

Once the weather becomes too hot, your cilantro plant will naturally end its life cycle and bolt. This is when the plant produces clusters of flowers and begins to grow seeds, called coriander. To harvest coriander seeds: Allow your plant to bolt and grow seeds. Once the leaves and seeds begin to turn brown, snip off the stems with seed heads. Hang stems upside-down in a paper bag in a cool, dry place. Once the seeds are ripe, they will fall off the seed head and into the bag. Coriander seeds should be stored in an airtight container.