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When to Plant Caraway in Golden Valley County, ND

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.

Golden Valley County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is September 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 131 days.

At an elevation of 982 feet, Golden Valley County receives approximately 26 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Caraway to ensure they mature before fall.

Golden Valley County, ND (Zone 4a) Short season
131 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
131 growing days
First Fall Frost September 22

Golden Valley County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: May 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Apr 15 Transplant: May 20

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 233 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Caraway needs ~5,298 GDD — county provides 1,703 GDD May not mature

Caraway Planting Timeline โ€” Golden Valley County, ND

Caraway Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 16
Transplant Outdoors May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 21
Direct Sow May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 28
Fall Sowing June 30 Jun 30 โ€“ Jul 14

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Fall Sowing
July Fall Sowing
August โ€”
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 4a

Growing Season

131 days

Growing Tips for Golden Valley 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 Golden Valley County, ND?

Golden Valley County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Caraway planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Golden Valley County, ND?

Golden Valley County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is September 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Golden Valley County gardeners in Zone 4a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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