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When to Plant Anise in Sherman County, OR

Sherman County, Oregon Zone 7a May

Your May game plan for Sherman County, Oregon

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

Avg. last frost April 14
Avg. first frost October 17
Soil temp (4") 62°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Start anise under lights

    These need a head start before your last frost (April 14). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.

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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.

Sherman County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 186 days.

At an elevation of 862 feet, Sherman County receives approximately 15 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Anise during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Anise successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Sherman County, OR (Zone 7a) Moderate season
186 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
186 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Sherman County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (26 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Sep 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Sep 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (23 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Oct 10

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 Sherman County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.3) overlaps with Anise's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.9%) — 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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.4″/week
Rainfall provides
0.3″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 101 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 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.7" 1.2" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
May 1.7" 0.8" 0.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 1.7" 0.5" 1.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 1.7" 0.2" 1.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 1.7" 0.3" 1.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 1.7" 0.5" 1.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.7" 1.3" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Sherman 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 3,115 GDD Excellent fit

Anise Planting Timeline — Sherman County, OR

Anise Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 10 Mar 10 – Mar 24
Transplant Outdoors April 7 Apr 7 – Apr 21
Direct Sow March 31 Mar 31 – Apr 21
Harvest July 7 Jul 7 – Sep 22
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 – Aug 22

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 · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

186 days in Sherman County

Growing Tips for Anise in Sherman County

Direct sow Anise outdoors after April 14 in Sherman 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 Sherman County, OR?

Sherman County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Anise planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sherman County, OR?

Sherman County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 17.

🌱

Your Sherman County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Sherman 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 Sherman County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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