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When to Plant Caraway in Fayette County, OH

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.

Fayette County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 182 days.

At an elevation of 872 feet, Fayette County receives approximately 31.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Caraway during the growing season.

Fayette County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
182 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
182 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Fayette County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Apr 1 Transplant: Apr 29

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 446 gal / 100 sq ft
Caraway needs ~7,437 GDD — county provides 3,321 GDD May not mature

Caraway Planting Timeline โ€” Fayette County, OH

Caraway Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 1
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ Apr 29
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 29
Fall Sowing August 12 Aug 12 โ€“ Aug 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors 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 6a

Growing Season

182 days

Growing Tips for Fayette 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 Fayette County, OH?

Fayette County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Caraway planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fayette County, OH?

Fayette County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 21.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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