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When to Plant Caraway in Kent County, DE

Caraway is a biennial herb grown for its distinctive crescent-shaped seeds used in rye bread, sauerkraut, and European cuisine. The leaves and roots are also edible.

Kent County, Delaware is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost is November 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 216 days.

At an elevation of 128 feet, Kent County receives approximately 47.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Caraway during the growing season.

Kent County, DE (Zone 7a) Long season
216 days
Last Spring Frost April 2
216 growing days
First Fall Frost November 4

Kent County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Mar 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Mar 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 11

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 132 gal / 100 sq ft
Caraway needs ~6,520 GDD — county provides 3,456 GDD May not mature

Caraway Planting Timeline โ€” Kent County, DE

Caraway Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 12
Transplant Outdoors March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 9
Direct Sow March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 9
Fall Sowing August 26 Aug 26 โ€“ Sep 9

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June โ€”
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

365โ€“450 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

216 days

Growing Tips for Kent County

Direct sow in spring or fall. Caraway produces seeds in its second year. Harvest seed heads when they turn brown. The young leaves can be used like parsley.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Fennel

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Caraway in Kent County, DE?

Kent County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 2. Plan your Caraway planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kent County, DE?

Kent County, Delaware is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 2 and first fall frost is November 4.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Kent County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Kent County, DE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.