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When to Plant Caraway in Hardeman County, TN

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.

Hardeman County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 30 and the first fall frost is October 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 214 days.

At an elevation of 3,185 feet, Hardeman County receives approximately 48.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Caraway during the growing season.

Hardeman County, TN (Zone 7b) Long season
214 days
Last Spring Frost March 30
214 growing days
First Fall Frost October 30

Hardeman County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Mar 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: Mar 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 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
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 88 gal / 100 sq ft
Caraway needs ~7,742 GDD — county provides 4,066 GDD May not mature

Caraway Planting Timeline โ€” Hardeman County, TN

Caraway Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 23 Feb 23 โ€“ Mar 9
Transplant Outdoors March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 6
Direct Sow March 16 Mar 16 โ€“ Apr 6
Fall Sowing August 21 Aug 21 โ€“ Sep 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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 7b

Growing Season

214 days

Growing Tips for Hardeman 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 Hardeman County, TN?

Hardeman County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 30. Plan your Caraway planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hardeman County, TN?

Hardeman County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 30 and first fall frost is October 30.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Hardeman County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Hardeman County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.