Coriander in May: monthly care

Coriander thrives in full sun or partial shade and prefers well-drained loam or sandy soil. It dislikes heavy, waterlogged ground, so if your soil is clay-based, work in plenty of grit or sharp sand before sowing. Choose a spot that gets morning sun but some afternoon shade in midsummer, as coriander bolts quickly in hot, dry conditions. Sow seed directly outdoors from April through to August for a continuous supply. Coriander develops a long taproot and resents transplanting, so avoid starting it in modules unless absolutely necessary. Prepare a fine, crumbly seedbed by raking the soil smooth and removing stones. Sow seeds thinly in shallow drills about 1 cm deep, spacing rows roughly 20 cm apart. Water the drill lightly before sowing if the soil is dry. Germination takes ten to fourteen days. Once seedlings have two true leaves, thin them to 20 cm apart; you can use the thinnings in salads. For leaf production, sow little and often—every three weeks—rather than one large batch, because plants run to seed quickly, especially in long, warm days. If you want coriander seed (the spice), sow in late spring and let plants flower and set seed in summer. Water gently after sowing to settle the soil, but avoid washing seeds away. Keep the seedbed moist until germination, then water moderately. Coriander doesn't need staking. A light mulch of compost around established plants helps retain moisture and keeps roots cool, which delays bolting. Avoid sowing in exposed, windy sites, as the delicate foliage can be damaged.

Coriander has moderate water needs. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during germination and early growth. In dry spells from May to August, water two or three times a week; inconsistent watering or drought stress triggers premature bolting. In cooler, wetter months—April and September—natural rainfall is usually sufficient, though check seedlings regularly. Water at the base of plants in the morning to reduce the risk of fungal issues. Feeding is generally unnecessary. Coriander is a short-lived, fast-growing herb that does perfectly well in average garden soil without added fertiliser. Excessive nitrogen encourages soft, lush foliage that bolts even faster and has less flavour. If your soil is very poor or sandy, a light dressing of garden compost before sowing is enough. The database lists no specific feeding months, and none are needed. Coriander is fully hardy across temperate Europe (zone 2–11) and doesn't require winter protection. However, it's usually grown as a warm-season annual for leaves, sown afresh each year from April. Autumn-sown coriander can overwinter in mild areas and provide early spring leaves, but growth is slow in cold weather. Pests are few. Aphids occasionally cluster on young shoots; rinse them off with water or tolerate them, as coriander is fast-cropping. Slugs may nibble seedlings in damp conditions—use barriers or organic pellets if necessary. Coriander is relatively disease-free, though powdery mildew can appear on stressed plants in hot, dry summers. Good spacing, adequate watering, and air circulation help prevent this. Mulch lightly with compost to keep roots cool and moist.