Blog

When to Plant Caraway in Morrow 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.

Morrow County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 169 days.

At an elevation of 800 feet, Morrow County receives approximately 34.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Caraway during the growing season.

Morrow County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
169 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
169 growing days
First Fall Frost October 15

Morrow County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 25 Transplant: Apr 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Apr 11 Transplant: May 9

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.

Soil Compatibility in Morrow County

How your county's soil matches Caraway's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.0โ€“6.8) is within Caraway's preferred range (6.0โ€“7.5).

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Morrow County is excellent for Caraway โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) โ€” Caraway will thrive.

How to Plant Caraway

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 226 gal / 100 sq ft
Caraway needs ~6,214 GDD — county provides 2,577 GDD May not mature

Caraway Planting Timeline โ€” Morrow County, OH

Caraway Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 8
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 6
Direct Sow April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ May 6
Fall Sowing August 6 Aug 6 โ€“ Aug 20

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 Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

365โ€“450 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

169 days in Morrow County

Growing Tips for Caraway in Morrow County

Direct sow Caraway outdoors after April 29 in Morrow County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 169.0-day growing season in Morrow County is tight for Caraway (365.0-450.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Common pests for Caraway in this region include carrot rust fly and parsleyworm. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Morrow County, OH?

Morrow County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Caraway planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Morrow County, OH?

Morrow County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 15.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Morrow County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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 Morrow County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.