When to Plant Caraway in Grenada County, MS
What to do in May
Your garden in Grenada County, Mississippi is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
-
Fire up the seed-starting tray: caraway
Give them 6–8 weeks indoors before the last frost and you'll transplant into warm soil with seedlings that are already leaping.
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.
Grenada County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 30 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 215 days.
At an elevation of 101 feet, Grenada County receives approximately 49.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Caraway during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Caraway, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot.
Grenada County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Clay Loam
Soil pH
5.6-6.4
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 Grenada County
How your county's soil matches Caraway's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.6–6.4) overlaps with Caraway's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The clay loam soil in Grenada County is excellent for Caraway — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). 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
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 | — | 4.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 4.3" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 3.8" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 4.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 5.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 4.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 4.3" | 3.5" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 3.3" | 1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 3.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Oct in Grenada 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 — Grenada County, MS
Caraway Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 23 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 23 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Direct Sow | March 16 | Mar 16 – Apr 6 |
| Fall Sowing | August 22 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | — |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
365–450 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8a
📆 Growing Season
215 days in Grenada County
Growing Tips for Caraway in Grenada County
Direct sow Caraway outdoors after March 30 in Grenada County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
With Grenada County's clay soil (28% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Caraway. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.
Your 215.0-day growing season in Grenada 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.
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 Grenada County, MS?
Grenada County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 30. Plan your Caraway planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Grenada County, MS?
Grenada County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 30 and first fall frost is October 31.
Your Grenada County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Grenada County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.