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When to plant Cumin in Lecompton,

Cumin planted in Lecompton between March 29 and April 19 matures in 120 days — well before the October 25 first frost. A second sowing from August 16 to August 30 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Cumin in Lecompton, KS

Lecompton, KS Zone 6b June

What to do in June

Welcome to June in Zone 6b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost April 12
Avg. first frost October 25
Soil temp (4") 72°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
Get ahead of 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.

Lecompton, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 196 days.

At an elevation of 494 feet, Douglas County receives approximately 27.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Cumin during the growing season.

Lecompton, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
196 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
196 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Lecompton Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Cumin Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (33 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Sep 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Aug 2 – Oct 4

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 Lecompton

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.6) is within Cumin's preferred range (6.0–8.0).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.2%). 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
0.6″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 2.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 1.7" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Douglas 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 ~1,925 GDD — county provides 3,430 GDD Excellent fit

Cumin Planting Timeline — Lecompton, KS

Cumin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 8 Mar 8 – Mar 22
Transplant Outdoors April 5 Apr 5 – Apr 19
Direct Sow March 29 Mar 29 – Apr 19
Harvest July 19 Jul 19 – Sep 20
Fall Sowing August 16 Aug 16 – Aug 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

196 days in Douglas County

Growing Tips for Cumin in Lecompton

Direct sow Cumin outdoors after April 12 in Douglas County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 Lecompton, ?

In Lecompton, , plant Cumin after the last frost (around April 12) and before the first frost (around October 25). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Lecompton, for Cumin?

Lecompton sits in USDA Zone 6b. Cumin grows reliably in zones 5a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Cumin grow in Lecompton's climate?

Yes — Cumin grows well in Lecompton's temperate climate. Lecompton averages a 196-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 12 and first frost around October 25.

🌱

Your Douglas County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Douglas County (Zone 6b). 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 Douglas County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.