Known for its robust scent and complex taste, caraway is an easy to grow herb plant and great addition to the kitchen garden. Reaching 24 inches (61 cm.) at maturity, caraway plants produce umbrella-like white flowers which are extremely attractive to pollinators. Most commonly, caraway plants are grown for the purpose of harvesting seeds. Found in recipes for various baked goods such as cookies and breads, harvesting will require some patience. Biennial flowering plants require two growing seasons to set seed. While growing caraway from seed will require some attention to detail, the process of propagating caraway is simple.
How to Propagate Caraway Plants
There are two methods by which one is able to propagate caraway– seeds and caraway plant cuttings. Thriving in full sun, caraway should be planted in well-draining soil. To ensure a bountiful harvest, always make certain the garden bed is weed free until plants have become fully established. Due to their shallow roots, caraway plantings should not be disturbed.
Sowing Caraway Seeds
The first and most common propagation method is by direct sowing the caraway seeds. Hardy to USDA zones 4 through 10, these plants are most suitable for growth during periods of cooler weather. Due to this factor, caraway seeds are directly sown in the fall and allowed to overwinter outdoors. Direct sowing is essential, as the plant’s long taproots do not like to be disturbed by the transplanting process. While the plants will remain dormant during the cold winter weather, increasing warmth in the spring will cause the caraway to resume growth, bloom, and set seed.
Caraway Plant Cuttings
Caraway plants may also be propagated through cuttings. To take caraway cuttings, simply remove a small segment of new growth from an existing caraway plant. Generally, cuttings should have at least three to four sets of true leaves. Remove the true leaf sets, leaving only one or two pairs of leaves. Gently push the stem cutting into a moist rooting medium. Keep the growing medium consistently moist and place in a location out of direct sunlight. When the cuttings have started to take root, gradually harden off the plants until it is time to transplant them into their final location in the garden.
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Varieties Of Caraway – Are There Different Caraway Plant Species You Can GrowYou can grow and harvest your own seed to use in the spice cupboard, but first you need to choose the varieties of caraway that will perform best in your garden. There are approximately 30 caraway plant species. Learn about some of them in this article.
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Storing Caraway: Learn How To Dry Caraway SeedsIf you’re wondering how to preserve caraways seeds from plants grown in your garden, drying caraway is the easiest and safest way to go. Want to learn how to dry caraway seeds? Click this article for easy instructions.
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Common Caraway Benefits – Is Caraway Good For YouIs caraway good for you? Many gardeners are impressed by the health benefits of caraway and grow it for medicinal purposes. For information on using caraway for health, the following article can be of help. Click here to learn more.
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Caraway Issues In The Garden – Dealing With Disease And Pests Of CarawayCaraway is a biennial plant cultivated for its anise-like flavored seeds. It is a fairly easy herb to grow with very few caraway issues. Closely related to both carrots and parsley, problems with pests and diseases of caraway tend to be of the same kind. Learn more here.
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Caraway Winter Care – Caraway Cold Hardiness In The GardenKeeping caraway in winter isn’t a problem in mild regions, but in chillier areas, caraway winter protection is a must. Click this article to learn about caraway winter planting, caraway cold hardiness, and how to make sure your plants make it to spring.
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Harvesting Caraway Seeds – When To Pick Caraway PlantsThe most commonly used part of caraway is the seed. It is an easy plant to grow and harvesting caraway seeds is just a two-step process. Click on the following to learn when to pick caraway so the seeds will be at the peak of their flavor.
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Failing Caraway Symptoms: Common Diseases Of Caraway PlantsCaraway is a great herb to grow in the garden. While most people only think of the seeds as edible, you can actually eat the entire plant, including the roots. Unfortunately, there are some caraway diseases that may harm, or even kill, your plants. Learn about them here.
