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When to Plant Anise in Monroe County, OH

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

Monroe County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 176 days.

At an elevation of 567 feet, Monroe County receives approximately 31.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Anise during the growing season.

Monroe County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
176 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
176 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Monroe County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Oct 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (8 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 11 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Aug 8 – Oct 24

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
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 449 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Anise needs ~1,444 GDD — county provides 2,420 GDD Excellent fit

Anise Planting Timeline โ€” Monroe County, OH

Anise Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 6
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 4
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 โ€“ Aug 25
Harvest July 20 Jul 20 โ€“ Oct 5

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

176 days

Growing Tips for Monroe 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Anise in Monroe County, OH?

Monroe County is in Zone 6a 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 Monroe County, OH?

Monroe County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 20.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Monroe 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 Monroe County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.