Caraway Seeds

Caraway (Carum carvi) is a classic biennial herb grown for its warm, nutty, faintly anise-flavored seeds. These non-GMO caraway seeds grow into ferny, carrot-like plants that produce lacy white flower umbels and, in their second year, an abundant crop of aromatic seed. Both the seeds and feathery leaves have a long history in European kitchens.Who it's forIdeal for bakers and cooks who love rye bread and hearty European dishes, and gardeners wanting an easy self-seeding herb that attracts pollinators.How & when to plantDirect-sow in spring or late summer, as caraway resents transplanting; it needs a cold period and blooms in its second year. Sow 1/2 inch deep, thinning plants to 8–12 inches apart in full sun with well-drained soil. Hardy in USDA zones 3–9, it tolerates cool weather and average garden soil.HarvestSeed is ready to harvest in the second season, roughly 70–90 days after flowering, once the umbels turn brown. Cut the seed heads, dry them in paper bags, then thresh out the seeds. Young leaves can be snipped anytime in the first year.Benefits & usesCaraway seeds flavor rye bread, sauerkraut, cheeses, sausages, cabbage dishes, and spice blends, while the leaves can be used like a mild parsley. In the garden, the flower umbels attract bees, hoverflies, and beneficial insects.