July 21, 2017 12:01 am• Last Updated: July 21, 2017 12:05 am
Cilantro can be one of those frustrating things to buy at the grocery store. Recipes only call for a little bit of the potent herb, but stores always seem to sell it in enormous bunches. Once you've bought the bundle and thrown a few leaves into the dish, the rest of the cilantro is usually destined for the compost heap.
Growing cilantro in your own garden is one way to avoid this problem. While the plant generally grows better in cooler weather, it can also be grown in the summer to encourage the development of coriander seeds.
Cilantro can be something of a polarizing herb. Some believe it adds a tasty zing to a recipe, while others describe it as having an unpleasant, even soapy taste. If you enjoy the flavor, you can also realize a number of health benefits; the gardening company Bonnie Plants says cilantro is good for the digestive system and provides a source of potassium.
The distinctive leaves of the herb will be produced when it grows in spring or autumn, while a flower stalk will bolt during warmer temperatures. Carol Savonen, writing for the Oregon State University Extension, says you can make successive plantings of cilantro during the growing season to have a continuous harvest.
While you may have to pause your cilantro plantings during particularly hot periods, since the leaves will develop a bitter taste, you can still make a harvest if the plant bolts prematurely. When it goes to seed, you can harvest these seeds and grind them up to make the spice coriander, or you can preserve them for future planting. Bonnie Plants says seed husks should be cut from the plant when they are dry and brown; after a few days, they will crack open and drop the seed.
Since cilantro is sensitive to heat, you should plant seeds in a cool or partially shaded part of the garden. However, the plant will also benefit from full sunlight during the spring and autumn.
The soil should drain well for best results. Gretchen Voyle, writing for the Michigan State University Extension, says cilantro will benefit from a layer of organic matter mixed into the soil when seeds are planted. The pH level should be slightly acidic, around 6.5.
Cover seeds with a light layer of soil, about a quarter-inch deep. The Old Farmer's Almanac says seeds should be placed one or two inches apart, and any rows should be separated by at least one foot. Savonen says there should be about 10 to 15 seeds per foot in each row.
Once the seeds have germinated and have reached a height of a couple of inches, thin them so the plants are about eight inches apart. The seed company Burpee says cilantro should be watered regularly, and that a water-soluble fertilizer can be added once the seedlings are about two inches tall.
You'll want to promote the growth of foliage in order to harvest the cilantro leaves. Young plants should be pinched back about one inch to encourage bushier growth. You can also cut off emerging flower stalks to ensure that energy goes into the leaves.
One benefit of cilantro is that it will self-seed regularly. Seeds will drop throughout the growing season, and you'll likely notice smaller plants starting to come up around the ones you planted.
Relatively few problems will affect cilantro. The herb's scent often acts as an insect repellent, but insecticidal soap may be necessary if you notice pests such as aphids, leaf hoppers, or whitefly. Make sure the plant is not too crowded or receiving too much moisture if you notice problems such as powdery mildew or leaf spot.
Cilantro grows fast and will tolerate light frosts, so it has a long and productive growing season. The Old Farmer's Almanac says you should harvest the herb when it is still low to the ground by clipping off the leaves. Bonnie Plants says you shouldn't harvest more than one-third of the leaves at a time, since doing so can weaken the plant.
Adding cilantro to a recipe when it is freshly cut will produce the best taste. The herb does not dry well, since it will lose much of its flavor, but you can get better results by freezing the cilantro.
