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When to Plant Cumin in Angelina County, TX

Angelina County, Texas Zone 9a May

Top priorities for Angelina County, Texas gardeners in May

May is a pivotal month for Angelina County, Texas gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost March 5
Avg. first frost November 16
Soil temp (4") 71°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
Before June arrives, get these ready
  • 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.

Angelina County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 5 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 256 days.

At an elevation of 32 feet, Angelina County receives approximately 63.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Cumin may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Cumin will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cumin root diseases.

Angelina County, TX (Zone 9a) Long season
256 days
Last Spring Frost March 5
256 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16
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Angelina County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (99 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 28 Transplant: Feb 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Aug 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Feb 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 9

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 Angelina County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.2–6.6) is more acidic than Cumin prefers (6.0–8.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Angelina County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Cumin will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Cumin.

How to Plant Cumin

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Plant 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 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 6.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 11.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 8.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 6.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 1.9" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Dec 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Angelina 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 ~2,338 GDD — county provides 5,440 GDD Excellent fit

Cumin Planting Timeline — Angelina County, TX

Cumin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 5 Feb 5 – Feb 19
Transplant Outdoors February 26 Feb 26 – Mar 12
Direct Sow February 12 Feb 12 – Mar 5
Harvest June 11 Jun 11 – Aug 13
Fall Sowing September 21 Sep 21 – Oct 5

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

256 days in Angelina County

Growing Tips for Cumin in Angelina County

Direct sow Cumin outdoors after March 05 in Angelina County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Angelina County dries quickly — mulch Cumin with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cumin in Angelina County, TX?

Angelina County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 5. Plan your Cumin planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Angelina County, TX?

Angelina County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 5 and first fall frost is November 16.

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Your Angelina County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Angelina 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.

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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 Angelina County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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