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When to plant Anise in Marshall County County,

Anise planted in Marshall County County between April 7 and April 28 matures in 120 days — well before the October 13 first frost. A second sowing from August 4 to August 18 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Anise in Marshall County, IL

Marshall County, Illinois Zone 5b June

What to do in June

Welcome to June in Zone 5b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost April 21
Avg. first frost October 13
Soil temp (4") 69°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.9 hrs
Before July arrives, get these ready
  • 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.

Marshall County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.

At an elevation of 1,177 feet, Marshall County receives approximately 30.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Anise to ensure they mature before fall.

Marshall County, IL (Zone 5b) Moderate season
175 days
Last Spring Frost April 21
175 growing days
First Fall Frost October 13
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Marshall County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Anise Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (14 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (14 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Sep 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (11 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Oct 17

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 Marshall County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.0–6.8) is within Anise's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.2%) — Anise will thrive.

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.

Anise Water Budget

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

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 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.7" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 1.7" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 1.7" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 1.7" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 1.7" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 1.7" 2.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 1.7" 2.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Marshall 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 ~1,365 GDD — county provides 2,275 GDD Excellent fit

Anise Planting Timeline — Marshall County, IL

Anise Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 17 Mar 17 – Mar 31
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 – Apr 28
Direct Sow April 7 Apr 7 – Apr 28
Harvest July 14 Jul 14 – Sep 29
Fall Sowing August 4 Aug 4 – Aug 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

175 days in Marshall County

Growing Tips for Anise in Marshall County

Direct sow Anise outdoors after April 21 in Marshall 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 Marshall County, IL?

Marshall County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Anise planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Marshall County, IL?

Marshall County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 21 and first fall frost is October 13.

When should I plant Anise in Marshall County County, ?

In Marshall County County, , plant Anise after the last frost (around April 21) and before the first frost (around October 13). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Marshall County County, for Anise?

Marshall County County sits in USDA Zone 5b. Anise grows reliably in zones 4a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Anise grow in Marshall County County's climate?

Yes — Anise grows well in Marshall County County's temperate climate. Marshall County County averages a 175-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 21 and first frost around October 13.

🌱

Your Marshall County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Marshall County (Zone 5b). 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 Marshall County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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