If you’ve grown Cilantro, you already know it doesn’t like warm temperatures. Often when seed is started in the spring and temperatures turn warm, even small young plants stalk and set seed.
Some years ago when I started growing this herb, this happened to me.
As it turns out, it was the best thing. Here’s why.
I had planted a dozen seedlings in a small area about 3′ x 3′ at the end of a bed. It turned very warm and all 12 plants shot up and set seed. I left them undisturbed.
The following fall the seed germinated. I had gorgeous cilantro plants that gave me all the cilantro I could use. Then they made it through the winter unprotected.
Wintered over plants give you a lot more herb to use for a longer period of time than those just started in the spring. (At least that’s what happened in my garden.)
And plants from seed dropped in the garden don’t seem to stalk-up as quickly as the ones started from purchased seed. When they do, I let them drop their seed and start again.
Best soil temperature for germination is 55ºF to 68ºF; so now is the time. If your soil is already too warm, germinate the seed indoors where it’s cooler.
You don’t need anything fancy to check your soil temperature. This is the soil thermometer I use.
If you haven’t already tried growing cilantro this way, you might want to give it a go.
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Theresa,
For a few years now, I have let my cilantro bolt and the seed mature on the plants. Then every now and then, I will pull a stalk with seed on it and rub the seed off in random places that will remain undisturbed. They germinate when temperatures are just right. It is always an adventure, discovering cilantro here and there as I go about my gardening business. It is such a nutritious herb! We just love it! I found several plants (almost picking size) as I was working outside earlier this week. Can’t wait to harvest some!
Another reason to let cilantro mature is that beneficial insects love the flowers.
I grow cilantro every year but get frustrated with how quickly it bolts. Although, I love to grind up the seed for the spice coriander for cooking, I would love to have the cilantro leaves for more of the season. It seems I can not keep it going for when the tomatoes and onions ripen for making salsa. This year I am just growing it indoors and the plants are beautiful.
I love your suggestion to plant it outside and let it reseed. I did that with the mache and now I have beautiful little mache everywhere!
Thank you for this! I’ve done the same thing with dill–quite by accident, of course! Last year was the first year we grew cilantro, and it went to seed. I will be interested to see if it comes back all by itself. That would be great!