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When to Plant Anise in Webb County, TX

Webb County, Texas Zone 9b May

May in Webb County, Texas — your action list

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

Avg. last frost February 9
Avg. first frost December 9
Soil temp (4") 70°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.4 hrs
  1. Collect anise at their peak

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

Coming up in June — 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.

Webb County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 9 and the first fall frost is December 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 303 days.

At an elevation of 3,543 feet, Webb County receives approximately 50.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Anise may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Anise root diseases.

Webb County, TX (Zone 9b) Year-round
303 days
Last Spring Frost February 9
303 growing days
First Fall Frost December 9

Webb County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (156 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 22 Transplant: Jan 12 🍅 Harvest: Apr 13 – Jun 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (142 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 12 Transplant: Feb 2 🍅 Harvest: May 4 – Jul 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (130 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Feb 26 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Aug 13

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 Webb County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6–7.7) overlaps with Anise's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). Annual compost additions will help 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.

Plant 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 1.7" 1.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Mar 1.7" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 1.7" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 1.7" 8.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 1.7" 7.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 1.7" 5.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 1.7" 6.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 1.7" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 1.7" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 1.7" 1.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 1.7" 1.5" 0.2" 💧 Light watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Webb 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 ~2,231 GDD — county provides 6,460 GDD Excellent fit

Anise Planting Timeline — Webb County, TX

Anise Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 12 Jan 12 – Jan 26
Transplant Outdoors February 2 Feb 2 – Feb 16
Direct Sow January 19 Jan 19 – Feb 9
Harvest May 4 May 4 – Jul 20
Fall Sowing October 14 Oct 14 – Oct 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors Direct Sow
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March
April
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August
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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9b

📆 Growing Season

303 days in Webb County

Growing Tips for Anise in Webb County

Direct sow Anise outdoors after February 09 in Webb 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 Webb County, TX?

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

What planting zone is Webb County, TX?

Webb County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 9 and first fall frost is December 9.

🌱

Your Webb County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Webb County (Zone 9b). 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 Webb County, TX. 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.