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When to Plant Anise in Perry County, IL

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

Perry County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 806 feet, Perry County receives approximately 36.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Anise during the growing season.

Perry County, IL (Zone 6a) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Perry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Sep 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (33 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Sep 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (34 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 28

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
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 347 gal / 100 sq ft
Anise needs ~1,444 GDD — county provides 2,667 GDD Excellent fit

Anise Planting Timeline โ€” Perry County, IL

Anise Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 19
Transplant Outdoors April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 16
Direct Sow March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 16
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 โ€“ Aug 25
Harvest July 2 Jul 2 โ€“ Sep 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
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 6a

Growing Season

194 days

Growing Tips for Perry 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 Perry County, IL?

Perry County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Anise planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Perry County, IL?

Perry County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Perry County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Perry County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.