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When to Plant Cumin in Jefferson 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.

Jefferson County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 235 days.

At an elevation of 454 feet, Jefferson County receives approximately 51.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cumin during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cumin root diseases.

Jefferson County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
235 days
Last Spring Frost March 19
235 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9

Jefferson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 3 Transplant: Mar 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Aug 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 16

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 ~1,842 GDD — county provides 3,936 GDD Excellent fit

Cumin Planting Timeline โ€” Jefferson County, AR

Cumin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 12 Feb 12 โ€“ Feb 26
Transplant Outdoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26
Direct Sow March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 26
Fall Sowing August 31 Aug 31 โ€“ Sep 14
Harvest June 25 Jun 25 โ€“ Aug 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March 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

235 days

Growing Tips for Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, AR?

Jefferson County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 19. Plan your Cumin planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jefferson County, AR?

Jefferson County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 19 and first fall frost is November 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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