Cumin

Cumin is an essential spice that's been cherished for its distinctive flavor and aromatic qualities for centuries! Though mostly grown in the Rajasthan and Gujurat regions of India, it is a staple in cuisines worldwide, from Mexican to Middle Eastern and beyond. Cumin's warm, earthy, and slightly nutty taste can be used to add depth and complexity to curries, potatoes, spice mixes, chili, and more. Brown Cumin seeds mature into elegant 12-18" tall plants with delicate lacy white blooms. Whether using whole or ground, Cumin is a diverse spice with wide use and cultural significance.

Also Known As: Jeera, Comino, Zira, Kreuzkummel, Cumino, Jintan Putih, Zeera, Kumin, Cumin Seeds, Caraway, Fennel Flower.

Plant Name:	Cumin, Brown
Latin Name:	Cuminum cyminum
Days to Germinate:	14-21
Days to Harvest:	120
Plant Height:	1 - 2 Feet
Spread:	12 - 18 inches
Growth Habit:	Upright
USDA Zones:	5-11
Lifespan:	Annual
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots.

Plants grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth.

Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 12 inches apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage.

Planting:

Soak Cumin seeds for 8 hours to aid in germination.

Starting Indoors: For an earlier Cumin harvest, you may optionally start planting indoors in containers 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date in Spring, keeping seedlings at 70F. Harden off then transplant seedlings outdoors in a sunny location when soil tempertures reach 70F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the transplant holes, burying some of the stem in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting.

Directly Sowing: If directly sowing Cumin outdoors, plant in late spring when the soil warms to at least 70F. For fall crops, start seeding indoors and transplant seedlings outdoors 6-8 weeks before the first expected frost. To plant, make holes 1/4 inch deep and spaced 6-12 inches apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 2-3 seeds per hole. If choosing to thin to the strongest plant, determine the strongest and healthiest plant, then remove all other plants, narrowing to a single plant per hole. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting.

Planting Depth:	1/4 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	6-12 inches
Between-Row Spacing:	12-18 inches

Care During the Season:

Watering: Water the plants deeply, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once a week. If there is no rainfall, water 2-3 times a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils.

Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig deeper than 1 inch to prevent from cutting the feeder roots.

Fertilizing: Once seedlings are established, 2-4 weeks after planting, you may optionally add fertilizer. Read and follow fertilizer instructions for best application. Water plants after fertilizing.

Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions.

Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions.

Harvesting:

Caraway is ready to harvest when the seeds have turned a rich brown color and are firm to the touch, typically around 70 to 80 days after flowering. The plant will begin to dry out, and the seed heads will start to bend and droop. To harvest, cut the seed heads when the majority of the seeds are mature but before they fully dry and begin to scatter. After cutting, allow the seed heads to fully dry in a well-ventilated area, then thresh to remove the seeds.