When to Plant Caraway in Yamhill County, OR
Yamhill County, Oregon gardeners: here's your May plan
Your Yamhill County, Oregon garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for May and why each task matters now.
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Fire up the seed-starting tray: caraway
Label every cell. You will absolutely forget which is which otherwise.
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.
Yamhill County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 195 days.
At an elevation of 476 feet, Yamhill County receives approximately 54.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Caraway during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Caraway root diseases.
Yamhill County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.4-6.2
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 Yamhill County
How your county's soil matches Caraway's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.4–6.2) is more acidic than Caraway prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Yamhill County is excellent for Caraway — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Caraway.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) — Caraway will thrive.
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 | — | 7.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 6.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 5.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 3.5" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 2.8" | 1.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 2.1" | 2.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 0.9" | 3.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 1" | 3.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 2.4" | 1.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 4.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 9.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 8.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Yamhill 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 — Yamhill County, OR
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 18 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
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 | 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: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8b
📆 Growing Season
195 days in Yamhill County
Growing Tips for Caraway in Yamhill County
Direct sow Caraway outdoors after April 15 in Yamhill County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your 195.0-day growing season in Yamhill 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 Yamhill County, OR?
Yamhill County is in Zone 8b 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 Yamhill County, OR?
Yamhill County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 27.
Your Yamhill County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Yamhill County (Zone 8b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.