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When to Plant Anise in Okanogan County, WA

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

Okanogan County, Washington is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost is September 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 136 days.

At an elevation of 3,788 feet, Okanogan County receives approximately 21.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Anise to ensure they mature before fall.

Okanogan County, WA (Zone 5b) Short season
136 days
Last Spring Frost May 13
136 growing days
First Fall Frost September 26

Okanogan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 31 – Oct 16
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Oct 21
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 2 Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Aug 29 – Nov 14

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 777 gal / 100 sq ft
Anise needs ~1,286 GDD — county provides 1,666 GDD Good fit

Anise Planting Timeline โ€” Okanogan County, WA

Anise Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 22
Transplant Outdoors May 6 May 6 โ€“ May 20
Direct Sow April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 20
Fall Sowing July 18 Jul 18 โ€“ Aug 1
Harvest August 5 Aug 5 โ€“ Oct 21

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 Direct Sow
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 5b

Growing Season

136 days

Growing Tips for Okanogan 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 Okanogan County, WA?

Okanogan County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 13. Plan your Anise planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Okanogan County, WA?

Okanogan County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and first fall frost is September 26.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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