Deb, I grow basil from starts bought usually from Christenson's. Buy them late, say about 1st of June, they like it warm like tomatoes. What I have experienced is if they get cold boom goners. Nights need to be consistently about 50 ish. I did grow some from seed and had good luck but sowed them in late June. No Idea on Cilantro but maybe the same thing, warm nights is the key.