Cumin in Zone 3a & 3b
Cuminum cyminum
Yes, cumin grows in zones 3a and 3b. Plant it outside Jun 20–Jun 27.
When to plant cumin in zone 3b
Zones 3a and 3b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. It doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Jun 20–Jun 27 |
| Estimated harvest | Oct 18–Oct 25 (~120 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 9 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 0.5-1 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 3b
These go outside within two weeks of cumin in zone 3b, so one planting day can cover them.
- BasilJun 13–Jun 20
- TobaccoJun 13–Jun 20
- HyssopJun 6–Jun 13
- Lemon BalmJun 6–Jun 13
- Shiso (Perilla)Jun 6–Jun 13
- SteviaJun 6–Jun 13
Cumin is a warm-season seed spice that needs a long, warm growing season to mature its seed, unlike most quick-turnaround culinary herbs.
How cumin fits zone 3's season
Zone 3b's frost-free window runs about 98 days, from May 30 to September 5. Cumin needs about 120 days from sowing to first harvest.
Cumin planting windows in every zone
Zone 3b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2a & 2b | Not usually | Jun 10–Jun 17 | Oct 8–Oct 15 |
| 3a & 3b (your zone) | Not usually | Jun 20–Jun 27 | Oct 18–Oct 25 |
| 4a & 4b | Not usually | Jun 5–Jun 12 | Oct 3–Oct 10 |
| 5a & 5b | Not usually | May 31–Jun 7 | Sep 28–Oct 5 |
| 6a & 6b | Not usually | May 16–May 23 | Sep 13–Sep 20 |
| 7a & 7b | Not usually | May 1–May 8 | Aug 29–Sep 5 |
| 8a & 8b | Not usually | Apr 15–Apr 22 | Aug 13–Aug 20 |
| 9a & 9b | Not usually | Mar 8–Mar 15 | Jul 6–Jul 13 |
| 10a & 10b | Not usually | Feb 20–Feb 27 | Jun 20–Jun 27 |
| 11a & 11b | Not usually | Jan 22–Jan 29 | May 22–May 29 |
Harvest dates are about 120 days after the sow or plant-out date.
Zone 2 sows before zone 3 here, which looks wrong and is not. USDA zones rank winter cold, not season length, and zone 2 is mostly interior Alaska, where hard winters come with warm summers. More on what a zone measures.
Good companions
No well-established companions for cumin.
Where to buy cumin seeds
True Leaf Market (each supplier's cumin seeds)
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing cumin" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 3b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Cumin in USDA zone 3b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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