When to Plant Cumin in Diggs, VA
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.
Diggs, Virginia is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 208 days.
At an elevation of 877 feet, Mathews County receives approximately 45.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Cumin during the growing season.
Diggs Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.3-6.8
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 | — | 3.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 4.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 3.2" | 1.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 3.8" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 5.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 4.3" | 3.8" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 3.1" | 1.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 4.3" | 2.9" | 1.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Dec | — | 3.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Mathews County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Cumin Planting Timeline — Diggs, VA
Cumin Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 5 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 2 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Direct Sow | March 26 | Mar 26 – Apr 16 |
| Harvest | July 16 | Jul 16 – Sep 17 |
| Fall Sowing | August 25 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | — |
| June | — |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
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 8a
📆 Growing Season
208 days in Mathews County
Growing Tips for Diggs
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Cumin in Other Locations
Your Mathews County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Mathews County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.