When to Plant Anise in Garfield County, CO
May in Garfield County, Colorado — your action list
May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Garfield County, Colorado.
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Move anise from tray to bed
Frost risk is low now in Garfield County, Colorado. If you've been covering beds overnight, you can stop.
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Direct-sow anise
Mark the row. Birds and stray feet both have opinions about unmarked beds.
Get ahead of June
- Starting indoors: anise
Anise is an annual herb grown for its licorice-flavored seeds and leaves. The seeds are used in baking, liqueurs, and traditional medicine worldwide.
Garfield County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 25 and the first fall frost is September 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 119 days.
At an elevation of 7,997 feet, Garfield County receives approximately 21.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Anise to ensure they mature before fall.
Garfield County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.5-7.9
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Garfield County
How your county's soil matches Anise's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.5–7.9) overlaps with Anise's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Garfield County is excellent for Anise — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Anise.
How to Plant Anise
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
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 | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 2.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 1.7" | 2.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 1.7" | 1.4" | 0.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 1.7" | 1.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 1.7" | 2.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 1.7" | 1.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Garfield 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 Planting Timeline — Garfield County, CO
Anise Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 20 | Apr 20 – May 4 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 18 | May 18 – Jun 1 |
| Direct Sow | May 11 | May 11 – Jun 1 |
| Harvest | August 17 | Aug 17 – Nov 2 |
| Fall Sowing | July 13 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| July | Fall Sowing |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | Harvest |
| November | Harvest |
| 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 6a
📆 Growing Season
119 days in Garfield County
Growing Tips for Anise in Garfield County
Direct sow Anise outdoors after May 25 in Garfield County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your 119.0-day growing season in Garfield County is tight for Anise (90.0-120.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Anise in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Anise in Garfield County, CO?
Garfield County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 25. Plan your Anise planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Garfield County, CO?
Garfield County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 25 and first fall frost is September 21.
Your Garfield County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Garfield County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.