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When to Plant Cumin in Miller 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.

Miller County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 21 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 236 days.

At an elevation of 266 feet, Miller County receives approximately 50.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cumin during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cumin root diseases.

Miller County, AR (Zone 8a) Long season
236 days
Last Spring Frost March 21
236 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Miller 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 (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 14 Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 22

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
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Cumin needs ~2,172 GDD — county provides 4,661 GDD Excellent fit

Cumin Planting Timeline โ€” Miller County, AR

Cumin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 14 Feb 14 โ€“ Feb 28
Transplant Outdoors March 14 Mar 14 โ€“ Mar 28
Direct Sow March 7 Mar 7 โ€“ Mar 28
Fall Sowing September 3 Sep 3 โ€“ Sep 17
Harvest June 27 Jun 27 โ€“ Aug 29

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 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 8a

Growing Season

236 days

Growing Tips for Miller 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 Miller County, AR?

Miller County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 21. Plan your Cumin planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Miller County, AR?

Miller County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 21 and first fall frost is November 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Miller County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Miller County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.