Blog

When to Plant Anise in Lawrence County, AR

Lawrence County, Arkansas Zone 7b May

Top priorities for Lawrence County, Arkansas gardeners in May

May is a pivotal month for Lawrence County, Arkansas gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost March 26
Avg. first frost November 3
Soil temp (4") 67°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.9 hrs
Get ahead of June
  • First harvests: anise

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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

Lawrence County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 222 days.

At an elevation of 530 feet, Lawrence County receives approximately 51.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Anise during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Anise root diseases.

Lawrence County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
222 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
222 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Lawrence County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Mar 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Aug 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Sep 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 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.

Soil Compatibility in Lawrence County

How your county's soil matches Anise's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–6.8) overlaps with Anise's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Lawrence County is excellent for Anise — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Anise.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.2%). Annual compost additions will help Anise.

How to Plant Anise

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.4″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Anise

Anise needs approximately 0.4 inches of water per week (1.7" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Anise Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.7" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 1.7" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 1.7" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 1.7" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 1.7" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 1.7" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 1.7" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 1.7" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 1.7" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Lawrence County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Anise Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Anise needs ~2,074 GDD — county provides 4,384 GDD Excellent fit

Anise Planting Timeline — Lawrence County, AR

Anise Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 19 Feb 19 – Mar 5
Transplant Outdoors March 19 Mar 19 – Apr 2
Direct Sow March 12 Mar 12 – Apr 2
Harvest June 18 Jun 18 – Sep 3
Fall Sowing August 25 Aug 25 – Sep 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Fall Sowing Harvest
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.4"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

222 days in Lawrence County

Growing Tips for Anise in Lawrence County

Direct sow Anise outdoors after March 26 in Lawrence County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Anise in this region include carrot rust fly and parsleyworm. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Anise in Lawrence County, AR?

Lawrence County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Anise planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lawrence County, AR?

Lawrence County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 3.

🌱

Your Lawrence County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Lawrence County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Lawrence County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.