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When to plant Cumin in Pullman,

Pullman gardeners should plant Cumin between April 18 and May 9 in spring. With Pullman's Zone 6a climate (last frost May 2), Cumin needs 120 days to mature — plant by June 16 for a full harvest. A second sowing from August 5 to August 19 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Cumin in Pullman, MI

Pullman, MI Zone 6a June

Pullman, MI gardeners: here's your June plan

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

Avg. last frost May 2
Avg. first frost October 14
Soil temp (4") 70°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.1 hrs
  1. Sow cumin in trays indoors

    These need a head start before your last frost (May 2). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.

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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.

Pullman, Michigan is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 165 days.

At an elevation of 1,257 feet, Allegan County receives approximately 37.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Cumin during the growing season.

Pullman, MI (Zone 6a) Moderate season
165 days
Last Spring Frost May 2
165 growing days
First Fall Frost October 14
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Pullman Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Cumin Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (3 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Oct 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (4 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Aug 8 – Oct 10
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 16 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Aug 27 – Oct 29

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 Pullman

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–6.7) is within Cumin's preferred range (6.0–8.0).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) — Cumin will thrive.

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
1.0″/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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Allegan 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 ~1,595 GDD — county provides 2,392 GDD Excellent fit

Cumin Planting Timeline — Pullman, MI

Cumin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 28 Mar 28 – Apr 11
Transplant Outdoors April 25 Apr 25 – May 9
Direct Sow April 18 Apr 18 – May 9
Harvest August 8 Aug 8 – Oct 10
Fall Sowing August 5 Aug 5 – Aug 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

165 days in Allegan County

Growing Tips for Cumin in Pullman

Direct sow Cumin outdoors after May 02 in Allegan 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 Pullman, ?

In Pullman, , plant Cumin after the last frost (around May 2) and before the first frost (around October 14). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Pullman, for Cumin?

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

Can Cumin grow in Pullman's climate?

Yes — Cumin grows well in Pullman's temperate climate. Pullman averages a 165-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 2 and first frost around October 14.

🌱

Your Allegan County Garden Planner — Free

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