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When to Plant Caraway in Tillamook County, OR

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.

Tillamook County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.

At an elevation of 332 feet, Tillamook County receives approximately 40.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Caraway during the growing season.

Tillamook County, OR (Zone 8b) Moderate season
193 days
Last Spring Frost April 19
193 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Tillamook County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: Apr 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 1

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 193 gal / 100 sq ft
Caraway needs ~5,603 GDD — county provides 2,653 GDD May not mature

Caraway Planting Timeline โ€” Tillamook County, OR

Caraway Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 15 Mar 15 โ€“ Mar 29
Transplant Outdoors April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ Apr 26
Direct Sow April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 26
Fall Sowing August 20 Aug 20 โ€“ Sep 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June โ€”
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
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 8b

Growing Season

193 days

Growing Tips for Tillamook 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 Tillamook County, OR?

Tillamook County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of April 19. Plan your Caraway planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Tillamook County, OR?

Tillamook County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and first fall frost is October 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Tillamook County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Tillamook County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.