Looking for Magic:  Cilantro

By Sharon
September 24, 2012

The scent of cilantro didn't impress me a few years ago. I planted it in my garden as a border plant only because I loved the look of its lacy foliage. Funny how a few years can make a huge difference. Aunt Bett always said, 'Look for the magic that hides in plants, look real close and you'll find it." Here's my take on cilantro now; I looked for the magic.

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Sep 23, 2012 6:30 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)
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I had no idea Cilantro was so full of so many good things or could do so much good for our bodies. Guess Cilantro will be on my "pot list" now.
Thanks Sharon!
I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown
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Sep 23, 2012 6:31 PM CST
Name: Sharon
Calvert City, KY (Zone 7a)
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Thumbs up
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Sep 23, 2012 9:48 PM CST
Name: Margaret
Near Kamloops, BC, Canada (Zone 3a)
Region: Canadian Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Tip Photographer Garden Ideas: Master Level I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member
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Sorry Sharon but I do not like fresh cilantro, tastes nasty, Thumbs down but I love the ground seeds in curries and other dishes. Big Grin

Another good informative article. Thumbs up
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Sep 23, 2012 10:24 PM CST
Name: Sharon
Calvert City, KY (Zone 7a)
Charter ATP Member Houseplants Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Ideas: Master Level I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle
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Maybe if you mix it with other things, other herbs?
I think it smells ugly too, but usually it's OK when blended in with other flavors. And used sparingly! Smiling
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Sep 23, 2012 11:29 PM CST
central Illinois
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Plant Identifier Garden Ideas: Level 2
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Well written.
Nothing that's been done can ever be changed.
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Sep 23, 2012 11:34 PM CST
Name: Sharon
Calvert City, KY (Zone 7a)
Charter ATP Member Houseplants Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Ideas: Master Level I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle
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Thanks, J.
Much appreciated!
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Sep 24, 2012 2:16 AM CST
Name: Caroline Scott
Calgary (Zone 4a)
Bulbs Winter Sowing Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Peonies Lilies Charter ATP Member
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A delightful article on one of my favorites!
Thank you, Sharon.
I always enjoy your writing.
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Sep 24, 2012 10:30 AM CST
Name: Sharon
Calvert City, KY (Zone 7a)
Charter ATP Member Houseplants Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Ideas: Master Level I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle
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Thumbs up Caroline!
It's always so good to hear from you.
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Sep 24, 2012 11:45 AM CST
Name: woofie
NE WA (Zone 5a)
Charter ATP Member Garden Procrastinator Greenhouse Dragonflies Plays in the sandbox I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
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Like you, Shar, I grow cilantro just because it's so pretty! I do like it in salsa and Mexican dishes, but that's about it. And it surely does produce LOTS of seeds!
Confidence is that feeling you have right before you do something really stupid.
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Sep 24, 2012 12:11 PM CST
Name: Sharon
Calvert City, KY (Zone 7a)
Charter ATP Member Houseplants Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Ideas: Master Level I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle
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And it's the seeds that I'm most interested in too; they are loaded with potassium.

But oh yes, it does make a pretty little border plant, and I'm all about pretty plants, Woof!
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Sep 24, 2012 12:48 PM CST
Name: Lynn
Oregon City, OR (Zone 8b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages I helped plan and beta test the plant database. I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Database Moderator
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I will have to give it a try in my flower beds. I am not fond of the flavor of fresh cilantro, but do love the seeds.
Maybe if I have it in the beds I will learn to like the scent and taste of it. Smiling
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Sep 24, 2012 1:08 PM CST
Name: Margaret
Near Kamloops, BC, Canada (Zone 3a)
Region: Canadian Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Tip Photographer Garden Ideas: Master Level I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member
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Sharon, because it smells so nasty, do you think it would keep moles, voles and mice away?? Hilarious!
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Sep 24, 2012 1:10 PM CST
Name: Lynn
Oregon City, OR (Zone 8b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages I helped plan and beta test the plant database. I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Database Moderator
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Euphorbia will keep them away. Thumbs up
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Sep 24, 2012 1:11 PM CST
Name: Sharon
Calvert City, KY (Zone 7a)
Charter ATP Member Houseplants Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Ideas: Master Level I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle
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It's a whole lot like tansy. Horrible scent but tansy sure drives the mosquitoes away, along with a few other annoying little biters. So I keep tansy around too. Same with cilantro, its good outweighs its bad.
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Sep 24, 2012 1:16 PM CST
Name: Sharon
Calvert City, KY (Zone 7a)
Charter ATP Member Houseplants Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Ideas: Master Level I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle
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Oops, Margaret, didn't see you.
Not sure about moles, etc, but Lynn's right, euphorbia will move them out. This is the one that works well for me:

Cypress Spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias)

It's a little bit invasive here, but sure does keep the moles/voles away. Squirrels don't dig around it either. I don't know about mice, I don't ever see them. Maybe it keeps all the mice away from me too.
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Sep 24, 2012 1:17 PM CST
Name: Margaret
Near Kamloops, BC, Canada (Zone 3a)
Region: Canadian Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Tip Photographer Garden Ideas: Master Level I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member
Morning Glories Critters Allowed Birds Houseplants Butterflies Garden Photography
Next year I will grow all three, keep the little buggers repulsed. nodding
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Sep 24, 2012 1:20 PM CST
Name: Sharon
Calvert City, KY (Zone 7a)
Charter ATP Member Houseplants Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Ideas: Master Level I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle
Native Plants and Wildflowers Dog Lover Ferns Daylilies Irises Cat Lover
Thumbs up
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Sep 24, 2012 1:58 PM CST
Name: woofie
NE WA (Zone 5a)
Charter ATP Member Garden Procrastinator Greenhouse Dragonflies Plays in the sandbox I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
The WITWIT Badge I helped plan and beta test the plant database. Dog Lover Enjoys or suffers cold winters Container Gardener Seed Starter
Didn't know tansy would keep the skeeters away! Gonna put a pot of it on my front porch! That is, after I dig it out of the flower bed it's trying to take over! Grumbling
Confidence is that feeling you have right before you do something really stupid.
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Sep 24, 2012 2:03 PM CST
Name: Sharon
Calvert City, KY (Zone 7a)
Charter ATP Member Houseplants Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Ideas: Master Level I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle
Native Plants and Wildflowers Dog Lover Ferns Daylilies Irises Cat Lover
I keep it growing around my back deck. Mosquitoes don't bother me, guess they don't like the flavor, but they do bother my family and friends. If you plan to be on your front porch for awhile, then squish some tansy first to get the scent stirred around, or brush your hands through it. If you pinch tips off, of course it just makes it bushier. But the scent is what drives the skeetoes away, so the scent-ier the better. Sometimes during summer I just whack it down to about 6 inches from the soil, drives the bugs away for sure. It comes right back prettier than ever.
Stinky though, but worth it.
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Sep 24, 2012 5:38 PM CST
Name: woofie
NE WA (Zone 5a)
Charter ATP Member Garden Procrastinator Greenhouse Dragonflies Plays in the sandbox I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
The WITWIT Badge I helped plan and beta test the plant database. Dog Lover Enjoys or suffers cold winters Container Gardener Seed Starter
I actually kind of like the scent of tansy, so that won't be a problem for me! Unfortunately, my dog likes it too! I'll have to put the pot where he can't reach it. He has been known to try to roll in aromatic pots.............I'm not convinced he isn't part kitty! Hilarious!
Confidence is that feeling you have right before you do something really stupid.

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