When to Plant Caraway in Santa Fe County, NM
Santa Fe County, New Mexico gardeners: here's your May plan
A quick May briefing for Santa Fe County, New Mexico gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.
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Harden off and plant caraway
Frost risk is low now in Santa Fe County, New Mexico. If you've been covering beds overnight, you can stop.
A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
- Starting indoors: caraway
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.
Santa Fe County, New Mexico is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 150 days.
At an elevation of 4,073 feet, Santa Fe County receives approximately 13 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Caraway during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Caraway will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Caraway successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Santa Fe County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Sandy Loam
Soil pH
7.3-8.6
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 Santa Fe County
How your county's soil matches Caraway's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (7.3–8.6) is more alkaline than Caraway prefers (6.0–7.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
Sandy soil in Santa Fe County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Caraway will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Caraway.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is low (0.8%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting 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 10/10 — 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 | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 0.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 4.3" | 0.3" | 4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 0.4" | 3.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 2.1" | 2.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 2.7" | 1.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 1.6" | 2.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 1.3" | 3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Santa Fe 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 — Santa Fe County, NM
Caraway Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 5 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 3 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Direct Sow | April 26 | Apr 26 – May 17 |
| Fall Sowing | July 29 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Fall Sowing |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · 2-3 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
365–450 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6b
📆 Growing Season
150 days in Santa Fe County
Growing Tips for Caraway in Santa Fe County
Direct sow Caraway outdoors after May 10 in Santa Fe County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Sandy soil in Santa Fe County dries quickly — mulch Caraway with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.
Your 150.0-day growing season in Santa Fe 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.
Santa Fe County receives only 13" 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 Santa Fe County, NM?
Santa Fe County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Caraway planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Santa Fe County, NM?
Santa Fe County, New Mexico is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 7.
Your Santa Fe County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Santa Fe 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.