- How is anise sown?
- What planting distance must be observed?
- What soil does anise prefer?
- Which location is the right one?
- When is harvest time?
- Are there good and bad neighbors for the anise?
- Will the offspring succeed from the self-harvested seeds?
Anise, which belongs to the umbelliferae family, has been cultivated as a spice and medicinal plant for many centuries. Its aroma, reminiscent of liquorice, is used to refine desserts and spirits and goes well with salads and vegetable dishes. Although anise is a bit demanding, it is still easy to grow in your own garden.
Anise grows easily in Central European gardens
How is anise sown?
Direct sowing outdoors is easy. However, the seeds are very sensitive to frost and should therefore only be planted after the ice saints in mid-May. Anise is a dark germ. Cover the seed placed in the seed furrow with soil about one centimeter thick. It takes about four weeks for the cotyledons to appear, so patience is required.
Alternatively, you can grow anise in seed boxes from February and transplant the small plants outdoors from mid-May.
What planting distance must be observed?
Already when sowing, you have to pay attention to the right distance, so that the herb develops well. It should be at least 25 centimeters.
What soil does anise prefer?
Anise thrives well on humus-rich, slightly calcareous and well-drained soil. Loosen the bed deeply and thoroughly, as the strong roots reach up to sixty centimeters into the ground.
If your garden soil is rather heavy and loamy, you should mix it with some sand to create optimal conditions. You can enrich very sandy soils with compost and clay powder.
Which location is the right one?
Since anise comes from the Mediterranean region, it prefers a sunny, warm place that is as sheltered from the wind as possible.
When is harvest time?
Anise flowers in July and August, the umbels then ripen by the beginning of October. They should be harvested when the skins turn brown. Then cut off the complete stems and let the seeds dry very well.
To do this, tie the stems together and hang them upside down in a dry, warm place. Place a cloth under the umbels to catch falling seeds. The seeds can then simply be knocked out of the dried umbels.
Are there good and bad neighbors for the anise?
Next to the "Good Heinrich", a rediscovered salad and vegetable plant, the aniseed feels extremely well. The proximity with hyssop, however, should be avoided, both spice plants then thrive poorly.
Will the offspring succeed from the self-harvested seeds?
This succeeds without any problems, but it should be noted that the seed only remains germinable for three years.
tips
Anise should not be planted in the same location for more than three years, otherwise soil fatigue will occur. Do not plant anise in a location where you grew radishes the previous year. The seed often does not sprout well here. Good bedding predecessors, on the other hand, are root parsley, wormwood, cardamom and onions.