Caraway in Zone 8a & 8b
Carum carvi
Yes, caraway grows in zones 8a and 8b. Plant it outside Mar 4–Mar 11.
When to plant caraway in zone 8b
Zones 8a and 8b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. It doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Mar 4–Mar 11 |
| Estimated harvest | About a year after planting |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-3 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 8b
These go outside within two weeks of caraway in zone 8b, so one planting day can cover them.
- DillMar 18–Mar 25
- AngelicaMar 4–Mar 11
- ChervilMar 11–Mar 18
- ChivesMar 11–Mar 18
- HorehoundMar 11–Mar 18
- Milk ThistleMar 11–Mar 18
Caraway is grown for its seed, the familiar flavor in rye bread and sauerkraut, and that changes the whole shape of the crop compared to a leafy annual herb. It's a true biennial: plant it this year, and it won't set the seed you're after until next summer.
How caraway fits zone 8's season
Zone 8b's frost-free window runs about 230 days, from March 25 to November 10. Caraway takes about a year from planting to first harvest, so it spans more than one growing season.
Caraway planting windows in every zone
Zone 8b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3a & 3b | Not usually | May 9–May 16 | About a year after planting |
| 4a & 4b | Not usually | Apr 24–May 1 | About a year after planting |
| 5a & 5b | Not usually | Apr 19–Apr 26 | About a year after planting |
| 6a & 6b | Not usually | Apr 4–Apr 11 | About a year after planting |
| 7a & 7b | Not usually | Mar 20–Mar 27 | About a year after planting |
| 8a & 8b (your zone) | Not usually | Mar 4–Mar 11 | About a year after planting |
Good companions
No well-established companions for caraway.
Where to buy caraway seeds
True Leaf Market (each supplier's caraway seeds)
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing caraway" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 8b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Caraway in USDA zone 8b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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