well, cilantro likes it on the cool side, so early spring is good, just after frost. Basil on the other hand really likes it warm... I try to plant mine when I can keep the little seeds at 75-80 degrees.

I would have to agree w/ heathen - basil likes it warm. You can direct sow after the last frost; it'll start kind of slow, then go like gangbusters. You can let some of it go to seed & collect your own for the following year; just make sure that the leaves you harvest are the newer ones.

Cilantro does like it cool. I typically direct sow early Spring, it comes up, and I have to harvest it by mid-Summer. IF, however, you let some of it go to seed, you'll get a second round in late Summer / early Fall (or as soon as the temps come down). Not sure how temps are in Idaho, but I've let some of the second round go to seed & had a fresh crop come up on its own the following Spring. The only reason I bought Cilantro seed this year is because I'm relocating my entire herb garden. Basil: well, I just plan on buying seed every year for that ...

There are so many perennial herbs that are such low maintenance (at least, here in zone 5b/6a, 6, or whatever the final designation here in Eastern KS ends up being): sage, chives, thyme, marjoram. Pretty much plant 'em & forget 'em, with the exception of water, of course.

Have a great time w/ your herb garden!!

Ilsa

My mammouth dill does a similar thing when the seeds sprout, and sometimes they survive through to the next summer. Cilantro will start to bolt quickly after it reaches abut 8 inches tall. Once it bolts, the leaves get very thin and then flower/seed heads form. Find a slow to bolt type and if you want a continous supply, start seeds at about 2-3 weeks of spacing between each.

On the cilantro, it will be slower to bolt in Idaho. Harvest it as soon as it reaches about 7 inches and you'll get another round, possibly two. Then, let it go to seed. You should be able to start it now without problem, indoors, of course. The basil might do better if you had a heating pad set on low under the starter tray (or whatever you use) and try grow lights when the sun isn't shining for long periods of time. It isn't the greatest, but it will do in a pinch.