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When to plant Anise in Olean, MO

Plant Anise in Olean from March 23 to April 13 in spring. Olean sits in USDA Zone 6b, with last frost around April 6 and first frost on October 27. A second sowing from August 18 to September 1 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Anise in Olean, MO

Miller County, Missouri Zone 6b August

Your August gardening checklist

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

Avg. last frost April 6
Avg. first frost October 27
Soil temp (4") 82°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.5 hrs
  1. Start harvesting anise

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

  2. Sow anise for an autumn harvest

    Count back from your first frost (October 27) — these need to mature before the cold arrives.

Get ahead of September
  • 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.

Olean, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 204 days.

At an elevation of 1,086 feet, Miller County receives approximately 30.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Anise during the growing season.

Olean, MO (Zone 6b) Long season
204 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
204 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Olean Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Anise Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (42 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Sep 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Sep 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Sep 29

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 Olean

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.7) overlaps with Anise's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Miller 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 (2.4%). 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.

Anise Water Budget

Plant needs
0.4″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.7" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 1.7" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 1.7" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 1.7" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 1.7" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 1.7" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 1.7" 2.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Miller 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 ~1,759 GDD — county provides 3,417 GDD Excellent fit

Anise Planting Timeline — Olean, MO

Anise Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 2 Mar 2 – Mar 16
Transplant Outdoors March 30 Mar 30 – Apr 13
Direct Sow March 23 Mar 23 – Apr 13
Harvest June 29 Jun 29 – Sep 14
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 – Sep 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
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 6b

📆 Growing Season

204 days in Miller County

Growing Tips for Anise in Olean

Direct sow Anise outdoors after April 06 in Miller 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 →

When should I plant Anise in Olean, MO?

In Olean, MO, plant Anise after the last frost (around April 6) and before the first frost (around October 27). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Olean, MO for Anise?

Olean sits in USDA Zone 6b. Anise grows reliably in zones 4a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Anise grow in Olean's climate?

Yes — Anise grows well in Olean's temperate climate. Olean averages a 204-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 6 and first frost around October 27.

🌱

Your Miller County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Miller County (Zone 6b). 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 Miller County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.