One of our favorite herbs is cilantro and I’m pleased to announce that it is reappearing in our garden as one of our fall crops. Cilantro grows great in the cooler weather. Here in Tennessee it will last until late spring when the temperatures get warm. I usually let our cilantro bolt and it reseeds readily.
I know many people aren’t big fans of cilantro but we use it frequently and are always excited to harvest anything from the garden rather than the grocery store shelves. If you like cilantro and haven’t grown it before you really need to try it. It grows easy without any special care, doesn’t have pest issues, is a great companion plant (to keep away aphids, spider mites, and potato beetles), and even is an awesome edible ornamental when it bolts!
We have a few other fall crops beginning to appear but I’ll save them for a vegetable garden update next week.
I love cilantro, but have had a hard time growing it. I love adding it to salsas.
I just put in two plants, but I'd almost given up on it. The nurseries sell it in the spring, where, at least in Georgia, it gets about two weeks to grow before it bolts. They never sell it in the fall and I haven't had luck by seed. This year my CSA provider was selling plants. I'm optimistic!
Dave, I used to grow Cilantro, even tried this year. But guess what, I never knew it was a cool season crop. I got disgusted with it and just yanked it out. If I can find some, I might just try it now with my lettuce planting. Although, with our zone I don't know how long it will last.
Eileen
Meemsnyc – We love it in salsa but especially in guacamole!
Jill – Let it bolt then collect the seed and sprinkle it where you want it to grow. It always reseeds more than I need!
Eileen – You may have better luck growing cilantro during the warmer months in Illinois than we would. Temperatures just get way too hot and it completely bolts – like lettuce. Definitely try it this fall if you can!