How to Grow and Propagate Caraway

DebDavies | Aug 29, 2009 |

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Caraway is a biennial herb, meaning it takes 2 years to reap the full benefit of Caraway. Flowers are produced during the second season and this is when Caraway seeds will be available to use in baking and cheese making.If you don't grow it in your home herb garden, give some serious thought to trying it for a few years.

Things You Will Need

Caraway plants
Caraway seeds
Garden gloves
Garden spade
Garden snips
Garden hose
Seed starter soil
Seed starter pots
Spray bottle
Organic fertilizer
General purpose fertilizer for edibles

Choose a location that receives 6 - 8 hours of full sun to plant Caraway in.

It will do well in most well draining soil types but prefers a sandy soil with a pH level between 6.0 and 7.0. Loosen soil to 18 inches to accommodate the long tap root.

Direct sow the seeds in the fall or spring when the soil has warmed, barely cover with soil and keep moist until seeds germinate in approximately 2 weeks.

It should be planted 12 inches apart and in rows that are also 12 inches apart.

During it's first season of growth, the plant grows to be about 12 inches in height and during it's second year it grows to be about 2-feet tall.

Fertilize this herb once a season with an organic fertilizer or a general purpose fertilizer for edible plants.

It will tolerate some dryness in the soil but does best in moist soils.

To start Caraway indoors, plant seeds in starter pots and mist daily. A word of caution, this herb does not like to be transplanted. It is recommended that seeds be direct sown. During it's second season, the cream colored flowers of Caraway develop. Once flower heads have died you can collect the seeds for new plants. The herb will self sow so care should be taken so it will not become a nuisance.