Learning Download: How to Grow Cumin

Although its foliage resembles dill, cumin is actually a member of the parsley family. In addition to adding its foliage to salads, cumin seeds are often used as seasoning. Cumin also will grow white or pink flowers beginning midsummer. Cumin plants can reach up to 24 inches in height.

Before Planting: Cumin has a longer growing season, so begin indoors four weeks before the last spring frost.

Planting: Plant seeds ¼ inch deep and keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate. Once the minimum temperatures outside reach at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit, transplant the cumin outdoors. If beginning cumin outdoors, plant one or two weeks after the last frost date. Plant a group of four seeds every 4 to 8 inches. Although cumin can be planted early indoors to get a head start on the growing season since it takes a long time to grow, the plant is difficult to transplant and if grown in warmer climates, cumin should be directly sown outdoors.

Watering: Be careful not to over-water cumin plants, and let the soil get almost dry before watering again. Cumin can be susceptible to root rot if it is watered too much, though cumin grown in a container needs to be watered more often as they dry out quicker than those planted in the ground.

Fertilizer: Fertilize cumin with a natural compost tea during its growing season and avoid fertilizers with high nitrogen.

Days to Maturity: Cumin has a longer growing season than most herbs, taking 120 days to mature.

Harvesting: Cut the entire stem and then hang upside down in a paper bag or over a container that will catch the seeds as they fall out. Harvest the leaves whenever they are large enough to be used in a salad. Cumin seeds
can then be used ground up or whole.

Tips: Plant cumin near crops that attract caterpillars or aphids to help control those pests. Although cumin can control pests in the garden, it also grows well in containers like most herbs.