When to Plant Cumin in Sullivan County, NH
Your May planting checklist for Sullivan County, New Hampshire
May is a pivotal month for Sullivan County, New Hampshire gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
-
Harden off and plant cumin
Your last frost (May 12) has passed. These warm-season crops can handle outdoor soil now.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- Starting indoors: cumin
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.
Sullivan County, New Hampshire is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 148 days.
At an elevation of 495 feet, Sullivan County receives approximately 39.5 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.
Sullivan County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5-6.6
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Sullivan County
How your county's soil matches Cumin's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.0–6.6) is more acidic than Cumin prefers (6.0–8.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Sullivan 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
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 2.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 2.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 3.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 3.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 2.2" | 3.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 3.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.2" | 4.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 3.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 3.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.2" | 3.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Sullivan 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 Planting Timeline — Sullivan County, NH
Cumin Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 7 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 5 | May 5 – May 19 |
| Direct Sow | April 28 | Apr 28 – May 19 |
| Harvest | August 18 | Aug 18 – Oct 20 |
| Fall Sowing | July 29 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| 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: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5b
📆 Growing Season
148 days in Sullivan County
Growing Tips for Cumin in Sullivan County
Direct sow Cumin outdoors after May 12 in Sullivan 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Cumin in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Cumin in Sullivan County, NH?
Sullivan County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Cumin planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Sullivan County, NH?
Sullivan County, New Hampshire is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is October 7.
Your Sullivan County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Sullivan County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.