I love to use Caraway seed in baking breads, meats, vegetables, even tea.

As a challenge I would like to grow my own Caraway seed.

I have purchased seed from two different companies and the third time tried seed from the spice container. All with no success.

I realize it will have to be a winter herb in this zone but am hoping to be educated on germination by this fall.

Appreciating any and all suggestions... Kristi

It is a biennial.
Sow it warm and then it dies off and comes back the following season and will go to seeds.

Thanks very much, CarolineScott. I wish I could get it started growing but for me germination is the problem.

Wondering if there is a secret to germination like sowing it on the second blue moon after the fourth Thursday before a rainstorm. Of course, that would be with my eyes and toes crossed. Just haven't had any luck yet.

I see you are in Texas. This might have some helpful info:

http://easttexasgardening.tamu...

Thanks much. That is a nice site, isn't it. I like all the TAMU links. Unfortunately it didn't cover germination as I hoped it would. It even mentioned other herbal seeds as slow germinating but not Caraway. I had hoped to find it needed soaking, light or stratification. Thanks again, I will keep digging.

I don't know that they need soaking or stratification. Maybe you'll find something else helpful.

J. L. Hudson, Seedsman has them along with some useful information. I've ordered from them several times and much happiness followed. Hope this helps, Claud. (Note: This is a public access seed bank. .org not .com) A packet of 500 organic seeds for $2.00 and their shipping is very reasonable. (or splurge and get a 1/4 lb. for $10.00. Put on your bunny slippers and cast them upon the winds.)

http://jlhudsonseeds.org/Seedl...

From the link:

CARUM (KAR-um)
UMBELLIFERAE. Aromatic annuals and perennials with thick roots, grown for food and flavoring. Umbels of small white or pinkish flowers and pinnate leaves. Seed viable 3 - 5 years.
—Carum Carvi. (500) CARU-3. Packet: $2.00 OTC ORGANIC
Oz: $6.00, 1/4 lb: $10.00
'CARAWAY'. Tiny white flowers in umbels held above the feathery, finely divided leaves. Hardy slender biennial to 1 1/2 - 2 feet. Eurasia. Grown since ancient times for its brown aromatic seed which are used to flavor breads, cheeses, baked fruit, liqueurs, and medicinally. The yellow roots are edible boiled like parsnips, and were mixed with milk to make a bread eaten by the Roman soldiers. The young, fresh, aromatic leaves are good in salads and mature leaves are boiled with vegetables. The seeds have been found in prehistoric Swiss lake dwellings, and are mentioned by writers from Dioscorides to the present. Sow in fall or in early spring in full sun where they are to grow, as they do not transplant well. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks or so. Thin to 8 - 12" apart. Will ripen seed the second season. Harvest when ripe and dry in the sun. They are an aid to digestion, and were an ingredient in love potions.

Thank you Claud! Your page tells me germination time so I know I can replant where these were seeded. It has been well past 1-2 weeks.

I think I will try another purchase of seed and this time for another source. Looking forward to trying it.

I had found the Fedco herbal seed germination chart but it didn't show any germination time frame so no help with that.

Thanks to all for your assistance. Kristi