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When to plant Anise in Randolph County, IL

Plant Anise in Randolph County from March 28 to April 18 in spring. Randolph County sits in USDA Zone 7a, with last frost around April 11 and first frost on October 20. A second sowing from August 11 to August 25 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Anise in Randolph County, IL

Randolph County, Illinois Zone 7a June

Randolph County, Illinois gardeners: here's your June plan

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

Avg. last frost April 11
Avg. first frost October 20
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs
Coming up in July — 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.

Randolph County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 192 days.

At an elevation of 501 feet, Randolph County receives approximately 32.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Anise during the growing season.

Randolph County, IL (Zone 7a) Moderate season
192 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
192 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Randolph County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Anise Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (29 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Sep 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Sep 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (29 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Oct 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 Randolph County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.8) overlaps with Anise's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.8%) — 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 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.7" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 1.7" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 1.7" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 1.7" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 1.7" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 1.7" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 1.7" 2.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Randolph 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 ~1,522 GDD — county provides 2,784 GDD Excellent fit

Anise Planting Timeline — Randolph County, IL

Anise Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 7 Mar 7 – Mar 21
Transplant Outdoors April 4 Apr 4 – Apr 18
Direct Sow March 28 Mar 28 – Apr 18
Harvest July 4 Jul 4 – Sep 19
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 – Aug 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September 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 7a

📆 Growing Season

192 days in Randolph County

Growing Tips for Anise in Randolph County

Direct sow Anise outdoors after April 11 in Randolph 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 Randolph County, IL?

Randolph County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Anise planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Randolph County, IL?

Randolph County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 20.

When should I plant Anise in Randolph County, IL?

In Randolph County, IL, plant Anise after the last frost (around April 11) and before the first frost (around October 20). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Randolph County, IL for Anise?

Randolph County sits in USDA Zone 7a. Anise grows reliably in zones 4a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Anise grow in Randolph County's climate?

Yes — Anise grows well in Randolph County's temperate climate. Randolph County averages a 192-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 11 and first frost around October 20.

🌱

Your Randolph County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Randolph County (Zone 7a). 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 Randolph County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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