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When to Plant Cumin in Morrow County, OR

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.

Morrow County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 173 days.

At an elevation of 2,335 feet, Morrow County receives approximately 20.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cumin during the growing season.

Morrow County, OR (Zone 6a) Moderate season
173 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
173 growing days
First Fall Frost October 15

Morrow County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Oct 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 19 – Oct 21

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 263 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Cumin needs ~1,760 GDD — county provides 2,768 GDD Excellent fit

Cumin Planting Timeline โ€” Morrow County, OR

Cumin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 4
Transplant Outdoors April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 2
Direct Sow April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ May 2
Fall Sowing August 6 Aug 6 โ€“ Aug 20
Harvest August 1 Aug 1 โ€“ Oct 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors 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 6a

Growing Season

173 days

Growing Tips for Morrow 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 Morrow County, OR?

Morrow County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Cumin planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Morrow County, OR?

Morrow County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 15.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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