When to Plant Caraway in Ellsworth County, KS
Your May gardening checklist
We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Ellsworth County, Kansas this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.
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Indoor seed-starting week for caraway
You're about 24 weeks out from your last frost — the perfect window to get these germinating indoors.
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.
Ellsworth County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.
At an elevation of 659 feet, Ellsworth County receives approximately 21.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Caraway during the growing season.
Ellsworth County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.2-7.6
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 Ellsworth County
How your county's soil matches Caraway's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.2–7.6) overlaps with Caraway's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Ellsworth County is excellent for Caraway — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.8%). 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 6/10 — 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 | — | 0.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 2.1" | 2.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| May | 4.3" | 3" | 1.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 3.8" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 2.6" | 1.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 2.8" | 1.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 2.2" | 2.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 1.3" | 3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Ellsworth 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 — Ellsworth County, KS
Caraway Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 11 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 8 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Direct Sow | April 1 | Apr 1 – Apr 22 |
| Fall Sowing | August 14 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | — |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| 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 6b
📆 Growing Season
191 days in Ellsworth County
Growing Tips for Caraway in Ellsworth County
Direct sow Caraway outdoors after April 15 in Ellsworth County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your 191.0-day growing season in Ellsworth 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.
Ellsworth County receives only 22" 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 Ellsworth County, KS?
Ellsworth County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Caraway planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Ellsworth County, KS?
Ellsworth County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 23.
Your Ellsworth County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Ellsworth County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.