Seeds of Cumin, jeera (Cuminum cyminum) — 500 pcs
Cumin from seed
Jeera is the warm, earthy seed behind tadka, garam masala and countless curries. It comes from a slender annual of the carrot family that grows only 30 cm or so tall, with thread-like leaves and small white or pink umbels. A 500-seed pack is enough for a proper row. Do not confuse it with black cumin (Nigella) or with shah jeera, which is Bunium persicum.
Germination
best at about 20 °C
Sowing depth
no deeper than 1.5 cm
Spacing
rows 25 cm, plants 10 cm
Time to seed
100-140 days
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How to sow
- Cumin germinates best at around 20 °C and struggles in cold soil.
- Sow no deeper than 1.5 cm in a light, very well-drained sandy loam, in rows about 25 cm apart, and thin to 10 cm.
- Drainage is the deciding factor: wet feet invite wilt.
- Keep the bed weeded, as the young plants are delicate and compete poorly.
Growing in Europe
Cumin needs about 120 frost-free days, which makes it a challenge north of the Alps but possible in a warm summer. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost, or sow outside one to two weeks after it. Choose the warmest bed, avoid overhead watering in cloudy weather, which encourages blight, and harvest when the seed heads turn brown, usually 100-140 days from sowing.
Questions
Is cumin the same as black cumin?
No. Cumin is Cuminum cyminum; black cumin or kalonji is Nigella sativa from the buttercup family.
Can cumin grow in Northern Europe?
It can in a warm summer. It needs about 120 frost-free days, so start it indoors six to eight weeks early.
How deep should cumin seeds be sown?
No deeper than 1.5 cm, in loose, well-drained soil at about 20 °C.