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Holly's Homestead — Annual Herb

Coriander

Coriandrum sativum · Carrot family
DIFFICULTY Easy (bolts fast)
TYPE Annual, cool season, direct sown
MATURITY 40–50 days for leaf
Sun
Full–part sun
Water
Consistent
Soil pH
6.0–7.0
Spacing
15–20cm
Depth
0.5–1cm

01Bolts fast in heat

Coriander runs to seed quickly once the weather warms — succession sow every couple of weeks through the cooler months for a continuous leaf supply.

02Planting

Method
Direct sow; dislikes root disturbance from transplanting.
Soil
Rich, moisture-retentive.
Timing
Sow through the cooler months for leaf; a warm-season sowing is best left to go to seed for coriander seed.

03Growing care

  • Keep soil consistently moist to delay bolting.
  • Succession sow every 2–3 weeks.
  • Harvest outer leaves regularly.
  • Let some plants flower and seed if you want coriander seed too.

04Problems

  • Bolting — the main challenge; grow in cooler months and keep well watered.
  • Aphids — hose off.
  • Slugs and snails — target seedlings; use barriers.
  • Powdery mildew — humid, crowded conditions; space well.

05Harvest & storage

Signs
Leaves reach usable size, before flower stalks appear.
Method
Cut outer leaves or the whole plant.
Curing
None needed for leaf; let seed heads dry fully on the plant for coriander seed.
Storage
Fresh leaf: fridge a few days. Dried seed: airtight, a year or more.

06Companions & rotation

Plant nearby
DillAnise
Avoid nearby
Fennel
Rotation note
Fast crop; rotate loosely with the carrot family.