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When to Plant Caraway in Paulding 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.

Paulding County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.

At an elevation of 914 feet, Paulding County receives approximately 40.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Caraway during the growing season.

Paulding County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
179 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
179 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Paulding County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: Apr 30

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 90 gal / 100 sq ft
Caraway needs ~6,214 GDD — county provides 2,729 GDD May not mature

Caraway Planting Timeline โ€” Paulding County, OH

Caraway Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 4
Transplant Outdoors April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 2
Direct Sow April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ May 2
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 Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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 5b

Growing Season

179 days

Growing Tips for Paulding 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 Paulding County, OH?

Paulding County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Caraway planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Paulding County, OH?

Paulding County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 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 Paulding County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Paulding County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.