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When to Plant Cumin in Wallowa County, OR

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.

Wallowa County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is September 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 134 days.

At an elevation of 1,240 feet, Wallowa County receives approximately 22.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Cumin during the growing season.

Wallowa County, OR (Zone 6b) Short season
134 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
134 growing days
First Fall Frost September 22
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Wallowa County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Cumin

Cumin needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Cumin Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 1.3" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 1" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 0.4" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 0.4" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 1" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Wallowa County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Cumin Planting Timeline — Wallowa County, OR

Cumin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 6 Apr 6 – Apr 20
Transplant Outdoors May 4 May 4 – May 18
Direct Sow April 27 Apr 27 – May 18
Harvest August 17 Aug 17 – Oct 19
Fall Sowing July 14 Jul 14 – Jul 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June
July Fall Sowing
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November
December
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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 6b

📆 Growing Season

134 days in Wallowa County

Growing Tips for Wallowa 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 Wallowa County, OR?

Wallowa County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Cumin planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wallowa County, OR?

Wallowa County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is September 22.

🌱

Your Wallowa County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Wallowa County (Zone 6b). 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 Wallowa County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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