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When to Plant Anise in Addison County, VT

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

Addison County, Vermont is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 141 days.

At an elevation of 1,052 feet, Addison County receives approximately 46.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Anise to ensure they mature before fall.

Addison County, VT (Zone 4b) Short season
141 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
141 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2

Addison County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Sep 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (1 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Oct 1
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 21 Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Aug 25 – Oct 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
1.4″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Anise needs ~1,050 GDD — county provides 1,410 GDD Excellent fit

Anise Planting Timeline โ€” Addison County, VT

Anise Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 16
Transplant Outdoors May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 21
Direct Sow May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 28
Fall Sowing July 10 Jul 10 โ€“ Jul 24
Harvest August 6 Aug 6 โ€“ Oct 1

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 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 4b

Growing Season

141 days

Growing Tips for Addison 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 Addison County, VT?

Addison County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Anise planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Addison County, VT?

Addison County, Vermont is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is October 2.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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