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When to Plant Caraway in Lawrence 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.

Lawrence County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 2,881 feet, Lawrence County receives approximately 52 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Caraway during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Caraway root diseases.

Lawrence County, TN (Zone 7a) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Lawrence County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Mar 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 18

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Caraway needs ~7,742 GDD — county provides 3,686 GDD May not mature

Caraway Planting Timeline โ€” Lawrence County, TN

Caraway Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 23
Transplant Outdoors April 6 Apr 6 โ€“ Apr 20
Direct Sow March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ Apr 20
Fall Sowing August 15 Aug 15 โ€“ Aug 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
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 7a

Growing Season

194 days

Growing Tips for Lawrence 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 Lawrence County, TN?

Lawrence County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Caraway planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lawrence County, TN?

Lawrence County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 24.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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