When to plant or sow Coriander?

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.