This popular herb can be frustrating to grow in the warmer regions due to its tendency to bolt in hot weather. "Leisure" is an heirloom variety that is slower to bolt, staying in leaf longer into summer's heat. A must for hot weather regions. High yielding - producing large, flavorful leaves.
Also called Chinese Parsley, Cilantro has a thousand uses in the kitchen. Nearly every part of this herb has a culinary use; in Thai cuisine, the roots flavor spicy sauces, while the cilantro leaves season and garnish Chinese, Vietnamese, and Mexican dishes. The coriander seed is used in candy, specialty breads, sauces, desserts, and even perfumes. In Tudor England, coriander seeds coated with sugar were known as "comfits" and became a popular treat.
The coriander plant, whose leaves are known as cilantro, is native to the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries; it is believed to be one of the earliest spices used by man. Early physicians such as Hippocrates used coriander to disguise the taste of unsavory medicines.
~ germination ~
Though coriander thrives in rich, well drained soil and full sun, it will tolerate some shade. Gardeners in warm climates may have the best success with coriander by planting it at any time from September through February, since it is a cool weather plant. It can also be planted as soon as possible in the spring, or after the heat of summer as a fall crop.
Since this herb does not take transplanting well, direct sow the seeds 1/2" deep in rows 18-20" apart; thin the seedlings to 12" apart as soon as they develop leaves. Germination usually takes 2-3 weeks. For a continuous harvest, plant a new crop every 2-3 weeks.
~ planting ~
When to sow outside: RECOMMENDED. 1 to 2 weeks before average last frost. Successive sowing every 3 weeks until 4 weeks before first fall frost. Zone 8 and warmer, sow in fall for winter harvest.
When to start inside: Not recommended; does not transplant well. Special germination instructions: Seed requires darkness to germinate. Sow at recommended depth of 1⁄2".
~ harvesting ~
Foliage can be harvested anytime. Seeds should be harvested after they begin to turn brown and when the outer coat cracks, but before they drop off the plant and scatter. Cut stem and place in a brown paper sack to collect the seeds. Rubbing the seeds will cause the outer shell to drop off.
