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When to plant Cumin in Faulkner County, AR

Spring Cumin in Faulkner County goes in March 12–April 2, once nighttime temps stop dipping near freezing. A second sowing from August 25 to September 8 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Cumin in Faulkner County, AR

Faulkner County, Arkansas Zone 8a June

Faulkner County, Arkansas gardeners: here's your June plan

A quick June briefing for Faulkner County, Arkansas gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost March 26
Avg. first frost November 3
Soil temp (4") 79°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.4 hrs
July will be here before you know it — start on
  • First harvests: cumin

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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.

Faulkner County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 222 days.

At an elevation of 211 feet, Faulkner County receives approximately 52.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Cumin during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cumin root diseases.

Faulkner County, AR (Zone 8a) Long season
222 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
222 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Faulkner County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Cumin Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 9 Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Sep 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 23

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.

Soil Compatibility in Faulkner County

How your county's soil matches Cumin's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.8) overlaps with Cumin's range (6.0–8.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Faulkner County is excellent for Cumin — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.1%). Annual compost additions will help Cumin.

How to Plant Cumin

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Cumin Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Cumin

Cumin needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Cumin Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Faulkner County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Cumin Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Cumin needs ~2,172 GDD — county provides 4,384 GDD Excellent fit

Cumin Planting Timeline — Faulkner County, AR

Cumin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 19 Feb 19 – Mar 5
Transplant Outdoors March 19 Mar 19 – Apr 2
Direct Sow March 12 Mar 12 – Apr 2
Harvest July 2 Jul 2 – Sep 3
Fall Sowing August 25 Aug 25 – Sep 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Fall Sowing Harvest
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

100–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–8 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

222 days in Faulkner County

Growing Tips for Cumin in Faulkner County

Direct sow Cumin outdoors after March 26 in Faulkner County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Cumin in this region include carrot rust fly and parsleyworm. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cumin in Faulkner County, AR?

Faulkner County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Cumin planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Faulkner County, AR?

Faulkner County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 3.

When should I plant Cumin in Faulkner County, AR?

In Faulkner County, AR, plant Cumin after the last frost (around March 26) and before the first frost (around November 3). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Faulkner County, AR for Cumin?

Faulkner County sits in USDA Zone 8a. Cumin grows reliably in zones 5a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Cumin grow in Faulkner County's climate?

Yes — Cumin grows well in Faulkner County's temperate climate. Faulkner County averages a 222-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 26 and first frost around November 3.

🌱

Your Faulkner County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Faulkner County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Faulkner County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.