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When to Plant Cumin in Clark County, AR

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.

Clark County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 232 days.

At an elevation of 1,350 feet, Clark County receives approximately 45.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cumin during the growing season.

Clark County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
232 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
232 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9

Clark County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (67 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Sep 20

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Cumin needs ~2,008 GDD — county provides 4,234 GDD Excellent fit

Cumin Planting Timeline โ€” Clark County, AR

Cumin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 15 Feb 15 โ€“ Mar 1
Transplant Outdoors March 15 Mar 15 โ€“ Mar 29
Direct Sow March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 29
Fall Sowing August 31 Aug 31 โ€“ Sep 14
Harvest June 28 Jun 28 โ€“ Aug 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

100โ€“120 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 8

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

232 days

Growing Tips for Clark County

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cumin in Clark County, AR?

Clark County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Cumin planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clark County, AR?

Clark County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Clark County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Clark County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.