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When to Plant Anise in Malheur County, OR

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

Malheur County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 18 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 134 days.

At an elevation of 2,676 feet, Malheur County receives approximately 17.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Anise during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Anise successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Malheur County, OR (Zone 6a) Short season
134 days
Last Spring Frost May 18
134 growing days
First Fall Frost September 29

Malheur County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Oct 9
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 13 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Oct 26
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 8 Transplant: Jun 5 🍅 Harvest: Sep 4 – Nov 20

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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 896 gal / 100 sq ft
Anise needs ~1,838 GDD — county provides 2,345 GDD Good fit

Anise Planting Timeline โ€” Malheur County, OR

Anise Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ Apr 27
Transplant Outdoors May 11 May 11 โ€“ May 25
Direct Sow May 4 May 4 โ€“ May 25
Fall Sowing July 21 Jul 21 โ€“ Aug 4
Harvest August 10 Aug 10 โ€“ Oct 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

134 days

Growing Tips for Malheur 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 Malheur County, OR?

Malheur County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 18. Plan your Anise planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Malheur County, OR?

Malheur County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 18 and first fall frost is September 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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