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When to Plant Caraway in Harrison County, KY

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.

Harrison County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.

At an elevation of 2,105 feet, Harrison County receives approximately 52.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Caraway during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Caraway root diseases.

Harrison County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
193 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
193 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Harrison County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: Apr 26

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Caraway needs ~6,520 GDD — county provides 3,088 GDD May not mature

Caraway Planting Timeline โ€” Harrison County, KY

Caraway Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 23
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 23
Fall Sowing August 17 Aug 17 โ€“ Aug 31

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June โ€”
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
September โ€”
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 6b

Growing Season

193 days

Growing Tips for Harrison 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 Harrison County, KY?

Harrison County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Caraway planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Harrison County, KY?

Harrison County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Harrison County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Harrison County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.