cumin
Cuminum cyminum
A heat loving, tender annual from the carrot family with finely cut, feathery foliage producing umbels of white flowers in summer, popular with beneficial garden insect predators such as lacewings and ladybirds. Over a long, hot season, these are followed by tiny, green to brown fruit that contain the aromatic cumin seed which has a warm, slightly bitter flavour popular in Indian, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and north African dishes.
How to care for cumin:
Use a well-drained, fertile soil in a sunny position. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged while seeds germinate, which usually takes 1–2 weeks.
Thin seedlings to about 15?cm (6?in) apart to give them space to grow. Cumin prefers warm, dry conditions and benefits from full sun exposure. Support taller plants if needed and remove weeds regularly to reduce competition.
Harvest seeds when the umbels turn brown and dry on the plant; cut the whole stem and allow it to dry completely before threshing.
Thin seedlings to about 15?cm (6?in) apart to give them space to grow. Cumin prefers warm, dry conditions and benefits from full sun exposure. Support taller plants if needed and remove weeds regularly to reduce competition.
Harvest seeds when the umbels turn brown and dry on the plant; cut the whole stem and allow it to dry completely before threshing.
Sowing instructions:
Presoak seeds overnight and start off under glass with a little bottom heat at 20°C (68°F) in early spring, or in situ from May. Sow shallowly. Seeds should sprout in 7-14 days. Cumin does not transplant well so it is a good idea to sow into biodegradable pots or soil blocks that can be planted directly into the garden.
Grow enough to cover a broad area to help support the plants, or offer additional support with twiggy branches.
Sow seeds indoors in early spring or directly outside once the soil has warmed to at least 18?°C (65?°F).
Grow enough to cover a broad area to help support the plants, or offer additional support with twiggy branches.
Sow seeds indoors in early spring or directly outside once the soil has warmed to at least 18?°C (65?°F).
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
0.5m
Eventual spread:
0.5m
Position:
Full sun
Rate of growth:
Average
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness:
Frost tender
approx 200 seeds
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