How to Grow Caraway Herb Plants
Biennial, Carum Carvi
Here is your chance to grow your own caraway seeds for baking! You need to
be patient. Caraway is a biennial, and does not produce flowers until the
second season. Once it does bloom, the flowers are loaded with seeds for
drying. You can use the leaves as soon as the plant gets big enough to produce
enough to meet your cooking or garnish needs.
Caraway is native to Europe, Asia and the U.S. With feathery leaves similar
to carrots, Caraway plants grow about 1 1/2 to 2 feet tall.
Caraway are grown from seed. Directly sow Caraway seeds into your garden
and cover lightly with soil. Space seedlings or thin plants to 12" apart
in rows 12 inches apart.
How to Grow Caraway Plants:
Caraway plants prefer full sun and a well drained soil. They do well in average
soils, and tolerate dry soil conditions. Water plants during dry periods,
once a week. Add a general purpose fertilizer once or twice during the growing
Grow these biennial plants in an area of your Herb garden where they will
grow undisturbed, and not be in the way when it is time to plant your annual
herbs next spring.
Harvest leaves as soon as there is enough to meet your needs. Harvest flower
heads after seeds have formed, and the flower head has died. Cut back stems
and tie together. Hang them upside down to dry with a bag or pan under them
to catch falling seeds. Shake the bundle to extract remaining seeds.
Main Cooking Uses:
Spicy caraway seeds are used in breads most notably rye bread, pastries,
cheeses, sour cream, cottage cheese, and soups.
Leaves are used as a garnish and a few recipes.
Other Gardening Resources:
Recipes: May we suggest: