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About Cumin

Cumin is a heat-loving annual in the carrot family. The crop is the ridged, oblong seed. It is not Nigella (love-in-a-mist). It needs a long, hot season — start indoors in Zones 3–7, or treat it as a Zone 8+ direct-sow crop.

When to Plant

Start indoors 4–6 weeks before last frost, or direct-sow once all frost has passed and soil is warm.

How to Plant

Sow ¼ inch deep, 4–6 inches apart, full sun. Well-drained soil. Skip nitrogen fertilizer — it makes less fragrant seed. Water during drought. Plants are frost-tender at both ends of the season.

When to Harvest

Cut plants when umbels brown, before they shatter. Hang to dry, then shake dry umbels into a paper bag. Store airtight.