My ongoing cilantro battle (strategies and tactics needed)

[AndtheStars]

Hello! I can't grow cilantro.
There, I said it.
I have been trying for years, in containers, in the ground, by seed, by purchased seedlings. I just can't do it. I get about 8 sprigs off of each plant before they go to pot. It's just not enough. They seem to flower and die overnight. I was so diligent this year in cutting off the flower stalks before they even got to the height of the regular leaves and they still died. I grow all kinds of other herbs/vegetables/fruits successfully. Why, oh why, can't I grow cilantro? Short of devoting my entire garden to rows of cilantro that I successively plant every three weeks, does anyone have any tips? I promised myself that I would admit defeat after this year and just spend the money to buy organic bunches at the store but I hate admitting defeat. I am in zone 6B with both sun and part shade planting options if that influences anyone's recommendations.

[Owen'nZoe]

Maybe someone else will have good suggestions, but I don't think it is you - I think that is just the nature of cilantro. It bolts fast. Everyone I know who has grown it complains of the same. I succession plant or just enjoy cilantro in early summer and live without it the rest of the time.

I did just use the greens from my bolded cilantro to make cilantro rice the other night. It tasted differently, obviously, but it was really yummy.

[AndtheStars]

I was afraid of this. The cilantro rice does sound yummy...did you use the stem/stalk/flower part?

[Owen'nZoe]

I used this recipe: http://www.ifc.com/dinner-with-the-band/green-cilantro-rice.php, and I used the leaves and the seedheads - the stalks seemed to woody already. It was a little putsy. Another easier  idea would be to use the bolted stalks to flavor soups or something where you can remove the woody stems before serving, like you would a stalk of fresh thyme.

[AndtheStars]

That recipe looks pretty darn delicious. Thanks! My yogurt cup is looking pretty sad for lunch now.

[Ruthiegirl]

Cilantro bolts fast, but it seeds quickly too.  I plant it often -- every 2 weeks and some weeks I have great cilantro and some weeks when the heat is high, I get a lousy crop.  My spring and fall plantings are the best though.  

Cilantro self seeds like crazy, which is welcome in my garden.  I let a few bolt and cast their seeds around continuing the cycle of plant-eat-bolt-plant-eat-bolt.  

And seed is the way to go with cilantro.  The plants you buy are only a week away from bolting in my experience.  

 

[Ruthiegirl]

Just reread your post.  I have never tried cilantro in partial shade, but it is worth trying, especially during the peak of summer.  In fact, I think I might try that as well.  

But repeated planting are the way to go unfortunately.  Takes time and space.