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When to Plant Anise in Levy County, FL

Anise is an annual herb grown for its licorice-flavored seeds and leaves. The seeds are used in baking, liqueurs, and traditional medicine worldwide.

Levy County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 2 and the first fall frost is November 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 271 days.

At an elevation of 305 feet, Levy County receives approximately 50.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 100ยฐF, so Anise may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Anise will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Anise root diseases.

Levy County, FL (Zone 9a) Year-round
271 days
Last Spring Frost March 2
271 growing days
First Fall Frost November 28

Levy County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.9-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 17 Transplant: Feb 7 🍅 Harvest: May 9 – Jul 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Feb 23 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Aug 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Mar 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Sep 2

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,497 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Anise needs ~2,625 GDD — county provides 6,775 GDD Excellent fit

Anise Planting Timeline โ€” Levy County, FL

Anise Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 2 Feb 2 โ€“ Feb 16
Transplant Outdoors February 23 Feb 23 โ€“ Mar 9
Direct Sow February 9 Feb 9 โ€“ Mar 2
Fall Sowing October 3 Oct 3 โ€“ Oct 17
Harvest May 25 May 25 โ€“ Aug 10

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April โ€”
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October Fall Sowing
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

90โ€“120 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 9a

Growing Season

271 days

Growing Tips for Levy County

Direct sow after last frost as anise has a taproot. Harvest seeds when they turn brown. Plants may need staking. The feathery leaves are also edible with a mild anise flavor.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Carrots

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Anise in Levy County, FL?

Levy County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 2. Plan your Anise planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Levy County, FL?

Levy County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 2 and first fall frost is November 28.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Levy County gardeners in Zone 9a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Levy County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.