Cumin is an aromatic and spicy herb with an intense flavor that makes it perfect for cooking, and it also has several medicinal benefits. It’s a staple crop for households in warmer climates because it’s a hardy and forgiving crop that doesn’t require much attention, unlike other herbs. Cumin can be used to season Indian and Mediterranean dishes, make pickles, and even be used as a spice in Mexican salsas. Growing cumin in the kitchen offers endless uses and can be grown indoors throughout most of the year. Planting herbs is an integral part of any kitchen, whether they’re for cooking, potpourri, aroma therapy, etc…
When growing cumin seeds or seedlings, the best way to get them started off in your indoor garden is indoors. This is true whether you’re growing cumin for culinary use or simply growing it for its medicinal benefits. Simply transfer cumin seeds or seedlings from their outdoors to their indoor garden setting using a damp rag or cloth. Cumin seeds should be damp but not wet.
In addition to growing cumin in your kitchen, it is also popular to grow it as an annual plant from seed. This is a great way to have perennial herbs in your garden year-round, as well as an assortment of colors. This is the easiest way to keep your favorite perennial herb fresh and flavorful all year long. Start growing cumin in your garden 6 to 9 weeks prior to the first frost, or seedlings should be transplanted directly into a shallow container. Keep soil moist, but don’t overwater to avoid possible plant disease due to fungus.
When growing cumin as an annual, you will want to move it outdoors when the weather starts to get cold. Take a pot and place the seed in. Cover the entire pot with loosely packed soil and water the soil well. You will notice that the seed will begin to break down as it germinates. Within two weeks, the first leaf should appear and then the seeds will germinate.
To enjoy the many health benefits of growing cumin, you must keep the seed from being exposed to the elements. For example, make sure the soil is well-drained before planting seeds. If the soil is too dry, the new oil will not have time to sink deep into the soil to offer good quality nutrition.
Most traditional recipes call for ground pepper or cumin to be mixed into salads or cooked into curries. It’s a versatile little herb with lots of uses, so be creative and enjoy growing cumin in your own kitchen. Pepper and cumin often go together in barbeque sauce or marinades. The great health benefits of adding this spicy herb to your diet include:
Not only does growing cumin grows well outdoors in all kinds of weather, it’s also an ideal choice for growing indoors if you don’t have a garden where it can be grown. Keep in mind that cumin grows best in warm climates that stay moist. You should be able to harvest the plants easily when they are in their full growth. Keep in mind the following growing conditions:
Harvesting time ranges from one week to three weeks, depending on the size of the plants. Be sure to stake your plants to the ground or use pots if you want the plants to have a firm hold to the ground. Harvesting is simple: just remove the seed from the plant using a hand fork or spade. You can move the plants inside if you plan to replant them later.