Sesame Growing Guide
Pedaliaceae family
Days to Harvest110 days
SunlightFull Sun
Frost ToleranceNone
Spacing9/sqft (4" apart)
Germination5-10 days
HardinessVery Tender
Germ. Temp85°F
Start Indoors6 weeks before last frost
Companion Planting
Growth Stages
- Seedling
- Establishing
- Budding
- Blooming
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1a | Apr 13 | May 25 | Jun 8 | Aug 13 |
| Zone 1b | Apr 13 | May 25 | Jun 8 | Aug 13 |
| Zone 2a | Apr 3 | May 15 | May 29 | Aug 3 |
| Zone 2b | Apr 13 | May 25 | Jun 8 | Aug 13 |
| Zone 3a | Apr 10 | May 22 | Jun 5 | Aug 10 |
| Zone 3b | Apr 3 | May 15 | May 29 | Aug 3 |
| Zone 4a | Mar 24 | May 5 | May 19 | Jul 24 |
| Zone 4b | Mar 20 | May 1 | May 15 | Jul 20 |
| Zone 5a | Mar 17 | Apr 28 | May 12 | Jul 17 |
| Zone 5b | Mar 17 | Apr 28 | May 12 | Jul 17 |
| Zone 6a | Mar 17 | Apr 28 | May 12 | Jul 17 |
| Zone 6b | Mar 4 | Apr 15 | Apr 29 | Jul 4 |
| Zone 7a | Mar 4 | Apr 15 | Apr 29 | Jul 4 |
| Zone 7b | Feb 27 | Apr 10 | Apr 24 | Jun 29 |
| Zone 8a | Feb 22 | Apr 5 | Apr 19 | Jun 24 |
| Zone 8b | Feb 8 | Mar 22 | Apr 5 | Jun 10 |
| Zone 9a | Feb 6 | Mar 20 | Apr 3 | Jun 8 |
| Zone 9b | Jan 27 | Mar 10 | Mar 24 | May 29 |
| Zone 10a | Jan 9 | Feb 20 | Mar 6 | May 11 |
| Zone 10b | Dec 17 | Jan 28 | Feb 11 | Apr 18 |
| Zone 11a | Dec 17 | Jan 28 | Feb 11 | Apr 18 |
| Zone 11b | Dec 4 | Jan 15 | Jan 29 | Apr 5 |
| Zone 12a | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 15 | Mar 22 |
| Zone 12b | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 15 | Mar 22 |
| Zone 13a | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 15 | Mar 22 |
| Zone 13b | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 15 | Mar 22 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Sesame?
Sesame takes approximately 110 days from planting to harvest.
How much sun does Sesame need?
Sesame requires full sun (6+ hours direct sunlight per day).
How far apart should I plant Sesame?
Plant Sesame at 9/sqft (4" apart) using square foot gardening spacing.
Can Sesame survive frost?
Sesame is frost-sensitive and should not be exposed to frost.
What are good companion plants for Sesame?
Good companion plants for Sesame include Soybean, Mung Bean.
How long does Sesame take to germinate?
Sesame seeds germinate in 5-10 days at an optimal temperature of 85°F.
When should I start Sesame seeds indoors?
Start Sesame seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date.
Plan Your Sesame Garden
Track Sesame from seed to harvest with personalized frost dates, watering recommendations, and companion planting visualization.
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