How to Use Caraway in Companion Planting and Compost

DebDavies | Jan 31, 2012 |

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Not only is the herb caraway grown for culinary uses, but can also be used in the companion planting technique. If you are striving for an organic garden, follow these steps to use caraway in the garden as a companion plant. Companion planting is a techniques in which plants are grown near each other for the benefit of either one of the plants or both of the plants. Caraway does well in average soil as long as it is well-drainng and has a pH level of 6.5. However, it performs well with a pH level anywhere from 5.8 to 7.5. Because it is a biennial herb, mark the area where it is planted so you don't mistakenly plant harmful plants nearby.

Things You Will Need

Caraway
Garden gloves
Garden spade
Garden hose
Garden snips

Plant the caraway herb near berries, especially strawberries. The caraway attracts many parasitic wasps and parasitic flies. The larvae of these insects feed off of and destroy other insects that are destructive to most plants in the organic garden, including the berries.

Keep it away from fennel and dill as both of these herbs are not good companion plants to it and will kill the caraway.

It has a long taproot and loosens the soil it has been planted in. Plant a crop in an area that has compacted soil and after it's second season of growth, harvest the entire Caraway plant and rotate another crop to that area.

If you do not intend on drying and using the Caraway leaves you can add them to your compost pile or bin. Shred the leaves and stems and use them as green material for the compost that will be added to your organic garden the following year.