Jim's Growing Tips for Anise

Anise is a low spreading bright green bushy plant that grows 12 to 24 inches tall and almost as wide. Anise flowers in midsummer, small yellowish-white flowers in umbrella shaped clusters.

Anise is warm-season annual herb. Sow anise in the garden as early as 2 weeks after the average last frost date in spring. Anise requires a long, frost-free growing season of about 120 days.

Plant anise in full sun. Anise grows best in well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Anise will grow in poor soil. It prefers a soil pH of 6.0 to 6.7.

Sow anise seeds 1/4 inch deep; when seedlings are 6 weeks old thin to 12 inches apart. Space rows 18 to 24 inches apart.

Sow anise in the garden as early as 2 weeks after the average last frost date in spring. Anise requires a long, frost-free growing season of about 120 days.

Keep anise regularly and evenly watered through out the growing season and particularly just before harvest. Anise requires no special feeding; side dress plants with age compost at midseason.

Companion plants. Cabbage, grapes; avoid planting with carrots, radishes.

Harvest. Snip anise leaves for fresh use as needed. Seeds require more than 100 frost-free days to reach harvest. Collect seed heads while they are still green. Hang them in a warm, dry place to dry; thresh when dry or pasteurize them in an oven at 100°F (38°F) for 15 minutes. Complete the harvest before the first frost in fall.

Storing and preserving. Dried anise seeds can be stored for several months in an airtight container.

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