Cilantro is one of those herbs that you either love or hate. There are chemicals in cilantro that taste fresh and lemony to some people, but for others it gives an unpleasant astringency and soapy taste that is not at all appealing. Personally, like about a quarter of people, I can’t stand the taste of coriander leaves. (Turns out it’s a matter of genetics.) However, I have grown cilantro for its seeds, which can be used in several ways more appealing to me, such as in garam masala spice mix. If you want to do the same thing, you may be wondering how to grow cilantro! Coriander is a plant that can provide us with leaves and stems, but also seeds which are used to add flavorings to curries and other recipes. Whether you want to know how to grow coriander for its leaves to use as a fresh or potted herb, or for the seeds to use as a spice, there are a number of important things to learn. If you want to learn how to grow cilantro, read on. What is coriander? Cilantro, which has the Latin name Coriandrum sativum, is an annual herb. In other parts of the world it is also known as cilantro. This plant grows wild across much of southern Europe and western Asia and has certainly been used since ancient times. It is mentioned in ancient Egyptian and ancient Greek texts. All parts of the plant are edible, and although we are accustomed to seeing the fresh leaves or seeds used in a culinary context, the roots are also widely used in Thai and some other international cuisines. What are the best varieties of coriander re to cultivate? There are different named varieties of Coriandrum sativum that you might consider growing in your garden here in the UK. Among the best, there are of course those which received an RHS Garden Merit Award. Coriandrum sativum ‘Calypso’ Coriandrum sativum ‘Confetti. Coriandrum sativum ‘Cruiser’ Coriandrum sativum ‘Filtro’ The four above are all particularly prized for their leaf production, performing well in summer and being slower to flower than some other varieties. However, if you are growing coriander for the seeds rather than the leaves, it is best to opt for a variety that flowers quickly, such as ‘Moroccan’. Sowing Cilantro Sowing coriander from seed is relatively easy, whether you are growing a variety suitable for growing for its leaves or for its seeds. The first decision you’ll need to make after choosing which cilantro to grow is whether you’ll sow your seeds indoors or sow them a little later, directly where they need to grow. Cilantro seeds can be sown indoors in February or March to produce an earlier harvest. You can sow the seeds in seed trays, pots or soil blocks in a greenhouse that is frost-free, or on a sunny windowsill. Once the seeds have reached about 15cm in height, they can be hardened off and then moved to their outdoor growing positions as soon as there is no further danger of frost. Alternatively, an easy solution is to simply sow coriander seeds outside in your garden where they should grow. This is something you can do anytime between spring and fall. If you are growing cilantro for the leaves, you should successively sow every month or so during this period. e period for consistent harvests from mid-summer. If you want coriander seeds, you should sow in spring or early summer so the seeds have time to mature. To sow directly, simply scatter the seeds along furrows in the soil, or on the surface of the growing medium in containers. Lightly cover the seeds and water them. they should germinate successfully within 1 to 3 weeks. Planting Cilantro If the weather is still rather cold, when planting coriander that you have grown yourself from seed or purchased from a nursery or garden center, it is best to cover the plants with a veil or a another form of protection to help them get through the transplant phase without incident. Of course, you can also plant cilantro inside a greenhouse. But note that if you want to grow cilantro for leaves, this might not be the best idea because the heat inside the structure might cause the plants to bloom faster in summer. It is always best to plant cilantro in an outdoor location or in a bright covered structure, as the plants generally do not have enough sunlight indoors on a windowsill to grow successfully for very long . Indoor growing should therefore normally be a short-term thing before you move the plants to their final growing positions in your garden. Alternatively, if you continue to grow indoors, use grow lights to provide the bright light these plants need. You can also simply harvest coriander leaves sown indoors early – just a few weeks after sowing the seeds. Cilantro can be a good choice if you Grow microgreens. Cilantro requires a location in full sun or light shade. A lightly shaded location can be beneficial in preventing plants grown for leaves from flowering in warmer weather during the summer months, but full sun can give the best growth during the shoulder seasons. The soil or growing medium should be well drained. Cilantro plants should be spaced about 10cm apart if grown for seed, to give the plants enough space to fully mature. But those grown for leaves can be spaced closely. How to Grow Cilantro Fortunately, when it comes to how to grow cilantro in your garden, you’ll find that these annual herbs don’t take up much of your time. Just be sure to keep the soil moist but be careful not to overwater and always make sure excess water can drain away freely. Waterlogging is one of the biggest problems for these plants. But drought can also cause problems, and too little water can encourage leafy cilantro plants to flower prematurely. So be sure to water thoroughly if there are long periods of drought without precipitation. If you are growing in containers, remember that you will generally need to water more frequently than when growing in the ground. Cilantro does not need to be fertilized in general, although if growth is poor you could water with…
