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When to Plant Caraway in Williams 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.

Williams County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 168 days.

At an elevation of 1,057 feet, Williams County receives approximately 39.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Caraway during the growing season.

Williams County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
168 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
168 growing days
First Fall Frost October 14

Williams County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.9

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 18 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Caraway needs ~5,909 GDD — county provides 2,436 GDD May not mature

Caraway Planting Timeline โ€” Williams 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 5 Aug 5 โ€“ Aug 19

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

168 days

Growing Tips for Williams 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 Williams County, OH?

Williams 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 Williams County, OH?

Williams County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 14.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Williams 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 Williams County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.