CILANTRO or CORIANDER

Cilantro and coriander come from the same plant, Coriandrum sativum. In the US, 'Cilantro' refers to the leaves and stalks, while 'Coriander' refers to the seeds. Cilantro has a fragrant, citrusy flavor, and coriander has a warmer, spicier, and nuttier taste.

To get a good harvest of those delicate, lacy leaves, sow your cilantro seeds directly in the garden about 4-6 weeks before the last expected frost in spring, and then again in late summer for a fall crop. Choose a spot with at least six hours of sun but some afternoon shade during the warmer parts of those shoulder seasons. Cilantro prefers well-drained soil, so amend your garden bed with some Watters Premium Mulch to improve drainage and provide a bit of organic matter.

Keep the soil consistently moist, especially when the plants are young. You can start harvesting the outer leaves once the plants are about 4-6 inches tall. Snip them off near the base of the plant, and it will often encourage more growth. If you see those flower stalks starting to form, you can pinch them off to try and prolong the leafy harvest. However, if it does bolt, don't despair! The flowers are also edible and have a mild flavor, and the coriander seeds are a wonderful spice in their own right. Cilantro is a rewarding herb, adding fresh flavor to your culinary creations straight from the garden.

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