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When to Plant Cumin in Johnson County, TN

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.

Johnson County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 404 feet, Johnson County receives approximately 43.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Cumin during the growing season.

Johnson County, TN (Zone 7a) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22
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Johnson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7.1

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 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Cumin Planting Timeline — Johnson County, TN

Cumin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 10 Mar 10 – Mar 24
Transplant Outdoors April 7 Apr 7 – Apr 21
Direct Sow March 31 Mar 31 – Apr 21
Harvest July 21 Jul 21 – Sep 22
Fall Sowing August 13 Aug 13 – Aug 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Harvest
October
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 7a

📆 Growing Season

191 days in Johnson County

Growing Tips for Johnson 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 Johnson County, TN?

Johnson County is in Zone 7a 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 Johnson County, TN?

Johnson County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 22.

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Your Johnson County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Johnson County (Zone 7a). 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 Johnson County, TN. 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.