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When to Plant Anise in Washakie County, WY

Washakie County, Wyoming Zone 4b May

May in the garden — Washakie County, Wyoming

May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Washakie County, Wyoming.

Avg. last frost May 10
Avg. first frost October 2
Soil temp (4") 35°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.5 hrs
  1. Set out anise seedlings

    Water the tray well an hour before you transplant. Roots slide out cleanly and settle in faster.

  2. Sow anise where they'll grow

    Thin ruthlessly once seedlings are up. Crowded roots mean smaller crops from every plant.

June will be here before you know it — start on
  • Starting indoors: 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.

Washakie County, Wyoming is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 145 days.

At an elevation of 6,932 feet, Washakie County receives approximately 13.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Anise to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Anise successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Washakie County, WY (Zone 4b) Short season
145 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
145 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2

Washakie County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-8.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (3 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Sep 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (5 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Aug 2 – Sep 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Aug 11 – Oct 6

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 Washakie County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–8.2) overlaps with Anise's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Anise.

How to Plant Anise

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.4″/week
Rainfall provides
0.4″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 32 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 1.7" 1.6" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 1.7" 0.9" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Jul 1.7" 1.1" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Aug 1.7" 1.3" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Sep 1.7" 1.1" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 1.7" 1.2" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Washakie 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 ~1,365 GDD — county provides 1,885 GDD Excellent fit

Anise Planting Timeline — Washakie County, WY

Anise Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 29 Mar 29 – Apr 12
Transplant Outdoors May 3 May 3 – May 17
Direct Sow May 3 May 3 – May 24
Harvest August 2 Aug 2 – Sep 27
Fall Sowing July 10 Jul 10 – Jul 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June
July Fall Sowing
August 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 4b

📆 Growing Season

145 days in Washakie County

Growing Tips for Anise in Washakie County

Direct sow Anise outdoors after May 10 in Washakie 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 Washakie County, WY?

Washakie County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Anise planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Washakie County, WY?

Washakie County, Wyoming is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 2.

🌱

Your Washakie County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Washakie 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.

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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 Washakie County, WY. 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.