How To Harvest Cilantro So It Will Continue To Grow All Season

Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) leaves are the edible a part of the coriander plant that add recent, citrusy taste to salsas, tacos, salads, and extra. Chances are you’ll know the seeds of this annual herb as coriander, that are used so as to add heat, nutty taste to stews, pickle brine, and meat rubs. It’s straightforward to begin cilantro from seed proper within the backyard, and when it’s prepared to reap, there’s a trick to maintain it rising so it does not rapidly go to seed. Earlier than you collect a bunch of this flavorful herb from the backyard, there’s a proper method to harvest cilantro that gained’t kill it and can maintain it coming again for later harvests.  

How To Harvest Cilantro

Cilantro is able to harvest when it reaches 6 to eight inches tall and has a number of pairs of true leaves. This may be as early as 4 weeks after planting for some varieties. Don’t harvest cilantro that’s too small or its development could also be stunted and leaves might lack taste. Common harvesting encourages cilantro to proceed rising and retains the plant from bolting, or flowering and going to seed rapidly. Don’t harvest greater than a 3rd of the plant at one time. Succession planting ensures a continuing provide of cilantro, so sow extra seeds each few weeks. 

Right here’s the right way to harvest cilantro to maintain it steadily rising:

1. Take solely the outer stems of the cilantro plant and depart the youthful internal stems. Both pinch particular person leaves from the plant or use clear pruning shears to chop 6-inch stems about 1 or 2 inches from the bottom of the plant. This may encourage vigorous, bushy development. The internal portion will proceed to develop and be prepared for the following harvest as new development is available in.
2. Proceed to water cilantro to maintain the soil moist and fertilize it each few weeks for steady development. If the leaves start to feather or flowering stalks seem, lower cilantro extra vigorously to delay the plant from setting seed.
3. Proceed to reap cilantro repeatedly to maintain it from setting seed early, reducing from the identical plant for a number of extra weeks till heat climate arrives. Temperatures constantly above 70ºF will trigger bolting. 
4. To reap a big bunch of cilantro, collect the stems and lower the complete plant all the way down to an inch or two above the plant’s base.

How Usually To Harvest Cilantro

Cilantro is a cool-weather herb that grows greatest in spring and fall. It takes about 45 to 70 days for cilantro to be prepared to reap, and it lives for about two to a few months earlier than dying. Throughout this time, it may be harvested. Take away outer stems of cilantro at the very least weekly to encourage extra development to develop and to maintain it from flowering. 

When To Harvest Cilantro

Harvest cilantro as soon as the stems are about 6 inches tall, which is mostly about 4 weeks after the seeds sprout. One of the best time of day to reap cilantro is within the early morning or night when cool temperatures maintain it from dropping an excessive amount of moisture. Leaves harvested after flowering could also be powerful and bitter.

As soon as cilantro bolts for the season, let the seed pods brown on the plant. Two or three weeks after flowering, snip off the seed pods, hold them the other way up to dry, and acquire any fallen coriander seeds.

How To Retailer Cilantro After Harvesting

Cilantro tastes greatest when harvested and eaten recent, but when you end up with a big quantity that must be lower or your cilantro is on the point of bolt, you’ll be able to retailer it within the fridge or freezer to increase it. After harvesting, you’ll be able to store cilantro in the refrigerator for as much as two weeks. Collect the stems and trim off the ends. Place the bunch in a small glass or vase crammed with clear water. Retailer the cilantro loosely coated with a plastic bag within the fridge, altering the water each different day.

To freeze cilantro, wash and dry the herbs, chop them, place them in ice dice trays, and place within the freezer till frozen. Then take away the cubes from the trays and retailer them in a resealable plastic bag within the freezer.