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When to Plant Anise in Greeley County, NE

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

Greeley County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 165 days.

At an elevation of 1,040 feet, Greeley County receives approximately 30.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Anise to ensure they mature before fall.

Greeley County, NE (Zone 4b) Moderate season
165 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
165 growing days
First Fall Frost October 9

Greeley County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (23 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Oct 1

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 321 gal / 100 sq ft
Anise needs ~1,286 GDD — county provides 2,021 GDD Excellent fit

Anise Planting Timeline โ€” Greeley County, NE

Anise Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 16 Mar 16 โ€“ Mar 30
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 4
Direct Sow April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 11
Fall Sowing July 17 Jul 17 โ€“ Jul 31
Harvest July 20 Jul 20 โ€“ Sep 14

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August 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 4b

Growing Season

165 days

Growing Tips for Greeley 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 Greeley County, NE?

Greeley County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Anise planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Greeley County, NE?

Greeley County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 9.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Greeley County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Greeley County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.