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When to Plant Anise in Ross 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.

Ross County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 182 days.

At an elevation of 1,322 feet, Ross County receives approximately 36.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Anise during the growing season.

Ross County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
182 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
182 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Ross County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (26 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Sep 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (21 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (16 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Oct 17

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 293 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Anise needs ~1,522 GDD — county provides 2,639 GDD Excellent fit

Anise Planting Timeline โ€” Ross County, OH

Anise Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 1
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ Apr 29
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 29
Fall Sowing August 12 Aug 12 โ€“ Aug 26
Harvest July 15 Jul 15 โ€“ Sep 30

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 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

182 days

Growing Tips for Ross 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 Ross County, OH?

Ross County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Anise planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ross County, OH?

Ross County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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