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When to plant Cumin in Weippe, ID

In Weippe, plant Cumin in spring between May 3 and May 24, once soil temps hold above 50°F. Weippe's last frost averages May 17, so most warm-season crops establish quickly once soil holds above 60°F. For a fall crop, sow between July 20 and August 3 — roughly 100–120 days before the first frost on September 28.

When to Plant Cumin in Weippe, ID

Clearwater County, Idaho Zone 7a June

Top priorities for Clearwater County, Idaho gardeners in June

Your Clearwater County, Idaho garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for June and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost May 17
Avg. first frost September 28
Soil temp (4") 44°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.6 hrs
  1. Indoor seed-starting week for cumin

    Your window is short. These crops want several weeks of indoor growth before they go outside.

Before July arrives, get these ready
  • Fall sowing: 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.

Weippe, Idaho is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost is September 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 134 days.

At an elevation of 7,800 feet, Clearwater County receives approximately 19 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Cumin during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Cumin successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Weippe, ID (Zone 7a) Short season
134 days
Last Spring Frost May 17
134 growing days
First Fall Frost September 28

Weippe Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Cumin Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Aug 14 – Oct 16
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 12 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Aug 23 – Oct 25
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 6 Transplant: Jun 3 🍅 Harvest: Sep 16 – Nov 18

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 Weippe

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–8.1) overlaps with Cumin's range (6.0–8.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). 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
0.6″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 2.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 1.3" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Jul 2.2" 1.8" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Aug 2.2" 2" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 2.2" 1.5" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Oct 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Clearwater 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 ~1,678 GDD — county provides 2,043 GDD Good fit

Cumin Planting Timeline — Weippe, ID

Cumin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 12 Apr 12 – Apr 26
Transplant Outdoors May 10 May 10 – May 24
Direct Sow May 3 May 3 – May 24
Harvest August 23 Aug 23 – Oct 25
Fall Sowing July 20 Jul 20 – Aug 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June
July Fall Sowing
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 7a

📆 Growing Season

134 days in Clearwater County

Growing Tips for Cumin in Weippe

Direct sow Cumin outdoors after May 17 in Clearwater 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.

Clearwater County receives only 19" of rain annually. Cumin needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 →

When should I plant Cumin in Weippe, ID?

In Weippe, ID, plant Cumin after the last frost (around May 17) and before the first frost (around September 28). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Weippe, ID for Cumin?

Weippe sits in USDA Zone 7a. Cumin grows reliably in zones 5a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Cumin grow in Weippe's climate?

Yes — Cumin grows well in Weippe's temperate climate. Weippe averages a 134-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 17 and first frost around September 28.

🌱

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A 22-page printable planner built for Clearwater County (Zone 7a). 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 Clearwater County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.