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When to Plant Cumin in Dillard, OR

Dillard, OR Zone 8b June

June in Dillard, OR — your action list

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Dillard, OR this June and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 4
Avg. first frost November 5
Soil temp (4") 82°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.2 hrs
Get ahead of July
  • 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.

Dillard, Oregon is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost is November 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 215 days.

At an elevation of 377 feet, Douglas County receives approximately 52.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Cumin during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cumin root diseases.

Dillard, OR (Zone 8b) Long season
215 days
Last Spring Frost April 4
215 growing days
First Fall Frost November 5
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Dillard Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Cumin Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (50 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Sep 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Sep 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Oct 8

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 Dillard

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.8–6.4) overlaps with Cumin's range (6.0–8.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.4%) — 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

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 8.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 6.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 2.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 0.8" 1.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 2.2" 1" 1.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 2.2" 2.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 7.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 7.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Douglas 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 ~1,925 GDD — county provides 3,762 GDD Excellent fit

Cumin Planting Timeline — Dillard, OR

Cumin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 28 Feb 28 – Mar 14
Transplant Outdoors March 28 Mar 28 – Apr 11
Direct Sow March 21 Mar 21 – Apr 11
Harvest July 11 Jul 11 – Sep 12
Fall Sowing August 27 Aug 27 – Sep 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Fall Sowing Harvest
October
November
December
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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 8b

📆 Growing Season

215 days in Douglas County

Growing Tips for Cumin in Dillard

Direct sow Cumin outdoors after April 04 in Douglas 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 →

🌱

Your Douglas County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Douglas County (Zone 8b). 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 Douglas County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.