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When to plant Cumin in Five Points,

The best window to plant Cumin in Five Points, is March 23–April 13, when soil warms to 50°F. Last frost typically hits April 6; first frost October 29. A second sowing from August 20 to September 3 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Cumin in Five Points, AL

Five Points, AL Zone 8a June

June in Five Points, AL — your action list

Your Five Points, AL garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for June and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost April 6
Avg. first frost October 29
Soil temp (4") 77°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.2 hrs
Looking ahead to July
  • First harvests: cumin

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Cumin is a warm-season annual herb whose seeds are one of the most widely used spices globally. It requires a long, hot growing season of 3-4 months.

Five Points, Alabama is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 375 feet, Chambers County receives approximately 54 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Cumin during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Cumin, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cumin root diseases.

Five Points, AL (Zone 8a) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
206 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29
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Five Points Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Cumin Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Sep 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Sep 28

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Five Points

How your county's soil matches Cumin's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–6.4) is more acidic than Cumin prefers (6.0–8.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Chambers County is excellent for Cumin — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Cumin.

How to Plant Cumin

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Cumin Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Cumin

Cumin needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Cumin Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 5.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Chambers County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Cumin Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Cumin needs ~2,172 GDD — county provides 4,068 GDD Excellent fit

Cumin Planting Timeline — Five Points, AL

Cumin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 2 Mar 2 – Mar 16
Transplant Outdoors March 30 Mar 30 – Apr 13
Direct Sow March 23 Mar 23 – Apr 13
Harvest July 13 Jul 13 – Sep 14
Fall Sowing August 20 Aug 20 – Sep 3

Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Fall Sowing Harvest
October
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

100–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–8 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

206 days in Chambers County

Growing Tips for Cumin in Five Points

Direct sow Cumin outdoors after April 06 in Chambers County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Chambers County's clay soil (29% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Cumin. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Common pests for Cumin in this region include carrot rust fly and parsleyworm. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 4 weeks before last frost. Transplant after all danger of frost. Harvest when seed heads turn brown. Requires consistent warmth for proper seed development.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Fennel

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

When should I plant Cumin in Five Points, ?

In Five Points, , plant Cumin after the last frost (around April 6) and before the first frost (around October 29). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Five Points, for Cumin?

Five Points sits in USDA Zone 8a. Cumin grows reliably in zones 5a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Cumin grow in Five Points's climate?

Yes — Cumin grows well in Five Points's temperate climate. Five Points averages a 206-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 6 and first frost around October 29.

🌱

Your Chambers County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Chambers County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Chambers County, AL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.