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When to Plant Cumin in Marion 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.

Marion County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 205 days.

At an elevation of 546 feet, Marion County receives approximately 47.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cumin during the growing season.

Marion County, AR (Zone 6b) Long season
205 days
Last Spring Frost April 5
205 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Marion County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Sep 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Sep 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Sep 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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Cumin needs ~1,760 GDD — county provides 3,280 GDD Excellent fit

Cumin Planting Timeline โ€” Marion County, AR

Cumin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 1 Mar 1 โ€“ Mar 15
Transplant Outdoors March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 12
Direct Sow March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 12
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Sep 1
Harvest July 12 Jul 12 โ€“ Sep 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Fall Sowing Harvest
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 6b

Growing Season

205 days

Growing Tips for Marion 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 Marion County, AR?

Marion County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 5. Plan your Cumin planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Marion County, AR?

Marion County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 5 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Marion County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Marion County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.