Caraway

Caraway is a versatile biennial herb that adds a unique, slightly sweet, and peppery flavor to a variety of dishes. It's a fantastic addition to breads, especially rye bread, lending a distinctive taste that’s both aromatic and earthy. Also named Meridian Fennel and Persian Cumin, Caraway is native to western Asia, Europe, and North Africa where it is a favorite spicy herb for adding flavor to breads, sausages, salads, stews, braises, and more. Leaves and seeds are also used as a flavorful balance to sweet breads and desserts. The plant has rich green, finely divided, feathery leaves with thread-like divisions, similar to carrot leaves, and petite white buds. A month or so after the flowers fade, the small tasty seeds ripen and can be collected. This herb is incredibly easy to grow, making it a great choice for home gardeners looking to add a flavorful touch to their herb garden. Rich in essential oils, Caraway offers numerous health benefits, such as aiding digestion and providing antioxidant properties that support overall well-being.

Also Known As: Carum Carvi, Persian Cumin, Meridian Fennel, Roman Caraway, Wild Cumin, Kümmel, Carvi, German Cumin, Comino, Schabzieger.

Plant Name:	Caraway
Latin Name:	Carum carvi
Days to Germinate:	10-21
Days to Harvest:	80
Plant Height:	1 - 2 Feet
Spread:	8 -12 Inches
Growth Habit:	Bush
USDA Zones:	3-9
Lifespan:	Biennial
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots.

Plants grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth.

Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 18 inches apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage.

Planting:

Starting Indoors: For an earlier Caraway harvest, you may optionally start planting indoors in containers 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date in Spring. Harden off then transplant seedlings outdoors in a sunny location when temperatures are consistently above 60F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the transplant holes, burying some of the stem in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting.

Directly Sowing: If directly sowing outdoors, plant in late spring when the soil warms to at least 60F. For fall crops, start seeding indoors and transplant seedlings outdoors 6-8 weeks before the first expected frost. To plant, make holes 1/4 inch deep and spaced 8-12 inches apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 2-3 seeds per hole. If choosing to thin to the strongest plant, determine the strongest and healthiest plant, then remove all other plants, narrowing to a single plant per hole. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting.

Planting Depth:	1/4 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	8-12 inches
Between-Row Spacing:	18-24 inches

Care During the Season:

Watering: Water the plants deeply, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once a week. If there is no rainfall, water 2-3 times a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils.

Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig deeper than 1 inch to prevent from cutting the feeder roots.

Fertilizing: Once seedlings are established, 2-4 weeks after planting, you may optionally apply 2 tablespoons of a complete fertilizer around each hole, or 1-2 pounds per 100 square feet, without letting the fertilizer touch the plants. Water plants after fertilizing.

Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions.

Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions.

Harvesting:

Caraway is ready to harvest when the seeds have turned a rich brown color and are firm to the touch, typically around 70 to 80 days after flowering. The plant itself will begin to dry out, and the seed heads will start to bend and droop. To harvest, cut the seed heads when the majority of the seeds are mature but before they fully dry and begin to scatter. It’s best to gather them early in the day when the dew has dried but before the heat of the sun causes the seeds to fall. After cutting, allow the seed heads to fully dry in a well-ventilated area, then thresh to remove the seeds.