When to Plant Caraway in La Plata County, CO
Your May game plan for La Plata County, Colorado
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
-
Plant out caraway
Bring a watering can to the bed. Each transplant gets a drink the moment it's in the ground, not ten minutes later.
-
Put caraway seeds straight in the ground
Mark the row. Birds and stray feet both have opinions about unmarked beds.
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.
La Plata County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 31 and the first fall frost is September 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 113 days.
At an elevation of 5,246 feet, La Plata County receives approximately 14.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Caraway to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Caraway successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
La Plata County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.2-7.9
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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.
Soil Compatibility in La Plata County
How your county's soil matches Caraway's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.2–7.9) overlaps with Caraway's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in La Plata County is excellent for Caraway — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). Annual compost additions will help Caraway.
How to Plant Caraway
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Caraway
Caraway needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Caraway Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 4.3" | 1.6" | 2.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 0.9" | 3.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 1.4" | 2.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 1.5" | 2.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 1.3" | 3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in La Plata County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Caraway Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Caraway Planting Timeline — La Plata County, CO
Caraway Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 26 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 24 | May 24 – Jun 7 |
| Direct Sow | May 17 | May 17 – Jun 7 |
| Fall Sowing | July 13 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| July | Fall Sowing |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
365–450 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6a
📆 Growing Season
113 days in La Plata County
Growing Tips for Caraway in La Plata County
Direct sow Caraway outdoors after May 31 in La Plata County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your 113.0-day growing season in La Plata County is tight for Caraway (365.0-450.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.
Common pests for Caraway in this region include carrot rust fly and parsleyworm. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
La Plata County receives only 15" of rain annually. Caraway needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.
General growing tips
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Caraway in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Caraway in La Plata County, CO?
La Plata County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 31. Plan your Caraway planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is La Plata County, CO?
La Plata County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 31 and first fall frost is September 21.
Your La Plata County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for La Plata County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.