When to plant Caraway in Temperate Australia

Temperate zone — applies to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Newcastle and similar areas. Growing elsewhere? Cool · Subtropical · Tropical · Arid.

Sow Caraway direct where it is to grow, either in autumn from March to May or in spring from August to November. Seed germinates in 10–20 days and should be sown fairly deep at 10 mm into a fine, weed-free bed. Space plants around 25 cm apart with 25–30 cm between rows. Caraway is a biennial, so a spring or autumn sowing gives a leafy first year and the seed harvest comes a full 365 days later in the second summer. In Adelaide and Melbourne gardens, an autumn sowing establishes strong plants before the heat.

Sowing calendar — temperate zone

Green months are your sowing window: March to May and August to November.

Growing notes

Caraway is hardy and untroubled by temperate frosts, which is why an autumn sowing works so well; the young rosette sits through winter and races away in spring. It prefers full sun and a well-drained loam, and it resents being moved, so always sow it in its final position rather than raising seedlings.

The classic failure with caraway is expecting seed in the first year. It is a true biennial: the first season builds a leafy rosette and a taproot, and only after a cold winter does it bolt, flower and set the aromatic seed most people grow it for. If your plants stay leafy and never flower, they simply have not yet had their winter chill, which temperate zones supply reliably.

Harvest is a matter of timing. Once the flower heads turn brown in the second summer, cut them before they shatter and drop seed everywhere, then dry them upside down in a paper bag to catch the fall. Caraway self-seeds readily if you miss this window, which can be a bonus or a nuisance. Keep the bed weeded while seedlings are small, as they compete poorly early on, and water through dry spells to keep the taproot developing steadily.

Caraway at a glance

Common questions

How long does caraway take to produce seed?

Caraway is biennial, so it takes about a full year. You sow it one season, it grows leaves and a root through the first year, then flowers and sets seed the following summer after a winter chill.

Can I grow caraway from the spice jar seed?

Sometimes, if the seed is whole and reasonably fresh, but culinary caraway is often old or heat-treated and germinates poorly. Fresh garden seed sown 10 mm deep gives far more reliable results within 10–20 days.

When is the best time to sow caraway in Adelaide?

Autumn, from March to May, suits Adelaide well because the seedlings establish before summer heat and get their winter chill on schedule. A spring sowing from August to November also works if you keep the bed watered.

Why won't my caraway flower?

It is almost certainly still in its first year. Caraway only flowers and seeds in its second season after experiencing winter cold, so give it time rather than more fertiliser.

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