Blog

When to plant Cumin in Carroll County, IL

Carroll County sits in USDA Zone 5a. Plant Cumin between April 8 (after last frost on April 22) and April 29. A second sowing from August 4 to August 18 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Cumin in Carroll County, IL

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.

Carroll County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.

At an elevation of 778 feet, Carroll County receives approximately 39.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Cumin to ensure they mature before fall.

Carroll County, IL (Zone 5a) Moderate season
174 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
174 growing days
First Fall Frost October 13

Carroll County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Cumin Planting Timeline — Carroll County, IL

Cumin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 18 Mar 18 – Apr 1
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 – Apr 29
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 – Apr 29
Harvest July 29 Jul 29 – Sep 30
Fall Sowing August 4 Aug 4 – Aug 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Low — drought tolerant

📅 Days to Maturity

100–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–8 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

174 days in Carroll County

Growing Tips for Carroll 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cumin in Carroll County, IL?

Carroll County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Cumin planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Carroll County, IL?

Carroll County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 13.

When should I plant Cumin in Carroll County, IL?

In Carroll County, IL, plant Cumin after the last frost (around April 22) and before the first frost (around October 13). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Carroll County, IL for Cumin?

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

Can Cumin grow in Carroll County's climate?

Yes — Cumin grows well in Carroll County's temperate climate. Carroll County averages a 174-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 22 and first frost around October 13.

🌱

Your Carroll County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Carroll County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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

Sources & credits

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