When to Plant Anise in Lincoln County, WI
This month in Lincoln County, Wisconsin
Your garden in Lincoln County, Wisconsin is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
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Move anise from tray to bed
Frost risk is low now in Lincoln County, Wisconsin. If you've been covering beds overnight, you can stop.
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Scatter anise into prepared beds
Succession planting is the secret here. Put in a row now, another in 2 weeks, a third in 4.
June will be here before you know it — start on
- Starting indoors: anise
Anise is an annual herb grown for its licorice-flavored seeds and leaves. The seeds are used in baking, liqueurs, and traditional medicine worldwide.
Lincoln County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost is September 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 132 days.
At an elevation of 1,129 feet, Lincoln County receives approximately 37.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Anise to ensure they mature before fall.
Lincoln County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6.2-7.2
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Lincoln County
How your county's soil matches Anise's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.2–7.2) is within Anise's preferred range (6.0–7.5).
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Lincoln County is excellent for Anise — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.6%) — Anise will thrive.
How to Plant Anise
Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 4.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 1.7" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 1.7" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 1.7" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 1.7" | 3.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 1.7" | 2.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | — | 2.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 2.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Lincoln 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 Planting Timeline — Lincoln County, WI
Anise Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 7 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 12 | May 12 – May 26 |
| Direct Sow | May 12 | May 12 – Jun 2 |
| Harvest | August 11 | Aug 11 – Oct 6 |
| Fall Sowing | July 6 | Jul 6 – Jul 20 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Direct Sow |
| July | Fall Sowing |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | Harvest |
| 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: ideal
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 4b
📆 Growing Season
132 days in Lincoln County
Growing Tips for Anise in Lincoln County
Direct sow Anise outdoors after May 19 in Lincoln County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your 132.0-day growing season in Lincoln County is tight for Anise (90.0-120.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Anise in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Anise in Lincoln County, WI?
Lincoln County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 19. Plan your Anise planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Lincoln County, WI?
Lincoln County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 19 and first fall frost is September 28.
Your Lincoln County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Lincoln County (Zone 4b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.