Well-drained soil is essential when growing cilantro. If drainage is poor, work in plenty of organic matter or grow in raised beds or containers. Also work in a complete fertilizer (EB Stone Organic All Purpose, Tomato & Vegetable Food, SureStart or Alfalfa Meal for vegetarians and vegans).

Choose the sunniest location in your yard, either in the ground or a pot, to plant cilantro. Cilantro likes six to eight hours of full sun; even foggy sun. Plant seeds and keep watered. Cilantro can be tucked in to established beds and borders, or planted in a pot close to the kitchen door.

As cilantro grows it should be kept pinched back...especially since it will go to seed as soon as temperatures rise. Replant through summer for a continuous crop (it grows quickly). The pollen of bolting (flowering) cilantro is a good food source for beneficial insects. When insects pollinate it, the seed that is harvested (coriander) can be used in the kitchen or replanted.  

3 regular cucumbers, peeled, seeded and chopped  

  into ¼ inch pieces 

1 tsp. kosher salt

1 Tbs. sugar  

2 tomatoes, cored and diced into ¼ inch pieces  

1/2 white onion finely minced  

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely minced  

½ bunch of cilantro, finely minced  

2 cloves garlic, finely minced  

¼ cup olive oil  

¼ cup red wine vinegar  

½ tsp. ground black pepper  

1 large avocado, chopped roughly the size
  of the cucumber pieces

Place the cucumber in a large bowl, mix in salt and sugar.   Allow to stand for 10-15 minutes; keep any juice that accumulates.  Add remaining ingredients, except for the avocado, and gently mix together. Adjust seasonings, salt to taste. Gently fold in avocado and serve immediately.

Enter your best tomato or strawberry recipe in our Spring Recipe Contest! If chosen your recipe will appear in our April Kitchen Gardener (about tomatoes) or May Kitchen Gardener (about strawberries), and we'll send you a $25 Sloat Garden Center gift card. 

Send your entry, along with a picture of the finished dish, to: recipes@sloatgardens.com by Friday, April 5th, 2013. We will contact the contest winners by April 15th.