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When to Plant Cumin in Hot Spring 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.

Hot Spring County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 231 days.

At an elevation of 754 feet, Hot Spring County receives approximately 50 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cumin during the growing season.

Hot Spring County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
231 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
231 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9

Hot Spring County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 8 Transplant: Mar 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (70 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Mar 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 23

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
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Cumin needs ~1,760 GDD — county provides 3,696 GDD Excellent fit

Cumin Planting Timeline โ€” Hot Spring County, AR

Cumin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors March 16 Mar 16 โ€“ Mar 30
Direct Sow March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 30
Fall Sowing August 31 Aug 31 โ€“ Sep 14
Harvest June 29 Jun 29 โ€“ Aug 31

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

231 days

Growing Tips for Hot Spring 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 Hot Spring County, AR?

Hot Spring County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Cumin planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hot Spring County, AR?

Hot Spring County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 9.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Hot Spring 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 Hot Spring County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.