Blog

When to Plant Cumin in Greene County, NY

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.

Greene County, New York is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 155 days.

At an elevation of 150 feet, Greene County receives approximately 49.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cumin during the growing season.

Greene County, NY (Zone 5b) Moderate season
155 days
Last Spring Frost May 9
155 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Greene County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Oct 5
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Aug 15 – Oct 17
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 22 Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Sep 2 – Nov 4

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
1.4″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Cumin needs ~1,595 GDD — county provides 2,247 GDD Excellent fit

Cumin Planting Timeline โ€” Greene County, NY

Cumin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 18
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 16
Direct Sow April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 16
Fall Sowing August 2 Aug 2 โ€“ Aug 16
Harvest August 15 Aug 15 โ€“ Oct 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 5b

Growing Season

155 days

Growing Tips for Greene 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 Greene County, NY?

Greene County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 9. Plan your Cumin planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Greene County, NY?

Greene County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 9 and first fall frost is October 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Greene County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Greene County, NY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.