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When to plant Anise in Suwannee County, FL

Spring Anise in Suwannee County goes in February 11–March 4, once nighttime temps stop dipping near freezing. A second sowing from October 1 to October 15 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Anise in Suwannee County, FL

Suwannee County, Florida Zone 9a July

Your July planting checklist for Suwannee County, Florida

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this July, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost March 4
Avg. first frost November 26
Soil temp (4") 91°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.8 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for anise

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

Coming up in August — start thinking about
  • First harvests: anise

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

Suwannee County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 4 and the first fall frost is November 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 267 days.

At an elevation of 383 feet, Suwannee County receives approximately 53.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Anise during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Anise will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Anise root diseases.

Suwannee County, FL (Zone 9a) Long season
267 days
Last Spring Frost March 4
267 growing days
First Fall Frost November 26

Suwannee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.1-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Anise Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 22 Transplant: Feb 12 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jul 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Feb 25 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Aug 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Sep 1

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 Suwannee County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.1–6.0) is more acidic than Anise prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Suwannee County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Anise will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.4%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Anise.

How to Plant Anise

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

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Anise Water Budget

Plant needs
0.4″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/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 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.7" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 1.7" 2.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 1.7" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 1.7" 8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 1.7" 7.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 1.7" 7.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 1.7" 7.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 1.7" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 1.7" 2.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Suwannee 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 ~1,916 GDD — county provides 4,872 GDD Excellent fit

Anise Planting Timeline — Suwannee County, FL

Anise Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 4 Feb 4 – Feb 18
Transplant Outdoors February 25 Feb 25 – Mar 11
Direct Sow February 11 Feb 11 – Mar 4
Harvest May 27 May 27 – Aug 12
Fall Sowing October 1 Oct 1 – Oct 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

267 days in Suwannee County

Growing Tips for Anise in Suwannee County

Direct sow Anise outdoors after March 04 in Suwannee County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Suwannee County dries quickly — mulch Anise with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

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 Suwannee County, FL?

Suwannee County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 4. Plan your Anise planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Suwannee County, FL?

Suwannee County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 4 and first fall frost is November 26.

When should I plant Anise in Suwannee County, FL?

In Suwannee County, FL, plant Anise after the last frost (around March 4) and before the first frost (around November 26). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Suwannee County, FL for Anise?

Suwannee County sits in USDA Zone 9a. Anise grows reliably in zones 4a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Anise grow in Suwannee County's climate?

Yes — Anise grows well in Suwannee County's temperate climate. Suwannee County averages a 267-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 4 and first frost around November 26.

🌱

Your Suwannee County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Suwannee County (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Suwannee County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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