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When to Plant Anise in Williams 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.

Williams County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 168 days.

At an elevation of 1,057 feet, Williams County receives approximately 39.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Anise during the growing season.

Williams County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
168 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
168 growing days
First Fall Frost October 14

Williams County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (4 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Oct 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (7 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 25 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Oct 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (1 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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 18 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 2,436 GDD Excellent fit

Anise Planting Timeline โ€” Williams County, OH

Anise Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 8
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 6
Direct Sow April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ May 6
Fall Sowing August 5 Aug 5 โ€“ Aug 19
Harvest July 22 Jul 22 โ€“ Oct 7

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 5b

Growing Season

168 days

Growing Tips for Williams 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 Williams County, OH?

Williams County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Anise planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Williams County, OH?

Williams County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 14.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Williams County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Williams County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.