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When to Plant Cumin in Suffolk 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.

Suffolk County, New York is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 199 days.

At an elevation of 1,187 feet, Suffolk County receives approximately 41 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cumin during the growing season.

Suffolk County, NY (Zone 7a) Moderate season
199 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
199 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Suffolk County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (38 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 31 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Aug 11 – Oct 13

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 ~1,925 GDD — county provides 3,482 GDD Excellent fit

Cumin Planting Timeline โ€” Suffolk County, NY

Cumin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Mar 25
Transplant Outdoors April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 22
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 22
Fall Sowing August 22 Aug 22 โ€“ Sep 5
Harvest July 22 Jul 22 โ€“ Sep 23

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
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 7a

Growing Season

199 days

Growing Tips for Suffolk 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 Suffolk County, NY?

Suffolk County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Cumin planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Suffolk County, NY?

Suffolk County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 31.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Suffolk County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Suffolk County, NY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.