| Cilantro, also known as fresh coriander and Chinese | | | | The coriander seeds that will grow into cilantro plants |
| parsley, is an excellent herb used in many different | | | | should be planted ¼ inch deep, just a few inches |
| types of cuisine, including but not limited to Indian, | | | | apart. Planting them close together results in the plants |
| Chinese, and Mexican. | | | | being shaded, which helps protect the fragile roots. |
| Cilantro can easily be purchased fresh in most grocery | | | | The best time to plant Chinese parsley depends on |
| stores and is also available in dried form (similar to dry | | | | your location, but generally speaking, spring and fall are |
| parsley), but nothing beats the freshness of going out | | | | the best times to plant as the heat of summer may be |
| to the garden or your kitchen window sill and snipping | | | | too much for the fragile plants. |
| off some fresh cilantro to use as a garnish or in some | | | | Be sure to snip off any flowers that appear on the |
| cases even a main ingredient of tasty and wonderfully | | | | plants so all the energy can be directed into the leaves. |
| healthy meals. | | | | Harvesting Fresh Cilantro |
| Get Fresh Coriander Off to a Good Start With Good | | | | It takes about eight weeks for cilantro to be ready to |
| Soil Preparation | | | | be harvested. Though cilantro can be harvested during |
| First, select the best place to grow your cilantro. Ideally | | | | the early growth phase, it is best to wait until the plant |
| you want to plant the coriander seeds in an area that | | | | is about 6" tall. Cut the larger outer leaves first to allow |
| gets afternoon shade and morning sun. Once you've | | | | the smaller inner leaves a chance to mature. |
| determined where that is in your garden, you can get | | | | Most likely you'll be able to take cuttings from each |
| to work with preparing the soil. | | | | cilantro plant about three times before it goes to seed. |
| Chinese parsley, or cilantro, thrives in soil that is | | | | Once it goes to seed, pluck it up. You can use the |
| well-drained. In addition to using soil that is well drained | | | | seeds in any recipe calling for coriander seeds or save |
| and moist, if you add some compost and mulch to | | | | them and plant them to start the cycle over again. |
| your soil your cilantro plants will receive the needed | | | | If you want fresh cilantro on an ongoing basis you'll |
| nutrients in order to grow into healthy plants. The mulch | | | | want to plant some seeds every few weeks so you |
| or compost also helps protect the roots, which can | | | | always have some plants in the ready to harvest |
| also lead to healthier plants. | | | | stage. |
| Planting Cilantro Seeds | | | | |