When to Plant Cumin in Multnomah County, OR
Your May gardening checklist
We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Multnomah County, Oregon this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.
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Sow cumin in trays indoors
Your window is short. These crops want several weeks of indoor growth before they go outside.
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.
Multnomah County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 196 days.
At an elevation of 357 feet, Multnomah County receives approximately 35.9 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.
Multnomah County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.8-6.3
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 Multnomah County
How your county's soil matches Cumin's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.8–6.3) overlaps with Cumin's range (6.0–8.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Multnomah County is excellent for Cumin — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Cumin.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.5%) — Cumin will thrive.
How to Plant Cumin
Fall planting: Sow 8 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 | — | 5.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 4.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 3.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 2.2" | 2.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 2.2" | 2.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 1.3" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 2.2" | 0.6" | 1.6" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 2.2" | 0.7" | 1.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 2.2" | 1.6" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 2.2" | 2.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 4.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Multnomah 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 — Multnomah County, OR
Cumin Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 7 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Direct Sow | March 24 | Mar 24 – Apr 14 |
| Harvest | July 21 | Jul 21 – Sep 22 |
| Fall Sowing | September 1 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | — |
| June | — |
| July | Harvest |
| August | 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 9a
📆 Growing Season
196 days in Multnomah County
Growing Tips for Cumin in Multnomah County
Direct sow Cumin outdoors after April 14 in Multnomah 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 Multnomah County, OR?
Multnomah County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Cumin planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Multnomah County, OR?
Multnomah County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 27.
Your Multnomah County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Multnomah County (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.