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When to Plant Cumin in Burnet County, TX

Burnet County, Texas Zone 8b May

What to do in May

Your garden in Burnet County, Texas is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.

Avg. last frost March 6
Avg. first frost November 20
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
Get ahead of June
  • 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.

Burnet County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 6 and the first fall frost is November 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 259 days.

At an elevation of 1,090 feet, Burnet County receives approximately 60.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Cumin during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Cumin, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cumin root diseases.

Burnet County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
259 days
Last Spring Frost March 6
259 growing days
First Fall Frost November 20

Burnet County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

6.8-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 23 Transplant: Feb 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Aug 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Feb 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Aug 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (83 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 18

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 Burnet County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8–7.6) is within Cumin's preferred range (6.0–8.0).

Soil Texture

Your clay soil in Burnet County is workable for Cumin. Add compost annually to improve structure.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). Annual compost additions will help Cumin.

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.

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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 6.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 9.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 10.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 6.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 7.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 6.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 2.1" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Dec 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Burnet 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 ~2,172 GDD — county provides 5,115 GDD Excellent fit

Cumin Planting Timeline — Burnet County, TX

Cumin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 30 Jan 30 – Feb 13
Transplant Outdoors February 27 Feb 27 – Mar 13
Direct Sow February 20 Feb 20 – Mar 13
Harvest June 12 Jun 12 – Aug 14
Fall Sowing September 11 Sep 11 – Sep 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

259 days in Burnet County

Growing Tips for Cumin in Burnet County

Direct sow Cumin outdoors after March 06 in Burnet County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Burnet County's clay soil (38% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Cumin. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

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 Burnet County, TX?

Burnet County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 6. Plan your Cumin planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Burnet County, TX?

Burnet County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 6 and first fall frost is November 20.

🌱

Your Burnet County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Burnet 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 Burnet 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.