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When to plant Cumin in Redmon, IL

Cumin planted in Redmon between April 4 and April 25 matures in 100–120 days — well before the October 17 first frost. A second sowing from August 8 to August 22 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Cumin in Redmon, IL

Edgar County, Illinois Zone 6a August

Your August planting checklist for Edgar County, Illinois

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this August, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost April 18
Avg. first frost October 17
Soil temp (4") 76°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Bring in the cumin

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

  2. Start your fall crops: cumin

    Fall crops get sweeter with a light frost. Don't be afraid of cool nights.

Before September arrives, get these ready
  • 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.

Redmon, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 182 days.

At an elevation of 1,272 feet, Edgar County receives approximately 41.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Cumin to ensure they mature before fall.

Redmon, IL (Zone 6a) Moderate season
182 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
182 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Redmon Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Cumin Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (20 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (21 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Sep 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (18 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Oct 12

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 Redmon

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.9–6.8) overlaps with Cumin's range (6.0–8.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) — Cumin will thrive.

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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Edgar 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 ~1,348 GDD — county provides 2,229 GDD Excellent fit

Cumin Planting Timeline — Redmon, IL

Cumin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 14 Mar 14 – Mar 28
Transplant Outdoors April 11 Apr 11 – Apr 25
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 – Apr 25
Harvest July 25 Jul 25 – Sep 26
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 – Aug 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April 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

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

100–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–8 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

182 days in Edgar County

Growing Tips for Cumin in Redmon

Direct sow Cumin outdoors after April 18 in Edgar 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 →

When should I plant Cumin in Redmon, IL?

In Redmon, IL, plant Cumin after the last frost (around April 18) and before the first frost (around October 17). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Redmon, IL for Cumin?

Redmon sits in USDA Zone 6a. Cumin grows reliably in zones 5a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Cumin grow in Redmon's climate?

Yes — Cumin grows well in Redmon's temperate climate. Redmon averages a 182-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 18 and first frost around October 17.

🌱

Your Edgar County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Edgar County (Zone 6a). 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 Edgar County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.