Botanical name: Pimpinella anisum

Origin: Europe

Varieties

Few varieties are available; grow the variety available in your area.

Description

Anise is a slow-growing annual with low, spreading, bushy plants that grow 12 to 14 inches tall  and almost as wide. The flowers are yellowish-white in umbrella shaped clusters and appear bout

10 weeks after planting. The licorice-flavored seeds are most commonly used in baking, candy, or to flavor liquors. Anise used to be credited with warding off the evil eye; the Romans flavored their cakes with it on special occasions. Anise was one of the first European herbs to become popular in America.

Where and when to grow

Anise needs a long growing season - at least 120 days free of frost. It also prefers a moderate

and uniform rainfall, especially at harvest time.

How to plant

Anise prefers a well-drained fertile soil. Work a complete, well balanced fertilizer into the soil before planting at the rate of one pound per 100 square feet. Give anise a location in full sun, and

plant it from seed in early spring, two weeks after the average date of last frost. Plant the seeds a quarter inch deep in rows 18 to 24 inches apart, and when the seedlings are six weeks old, thin them to six to 12 inches apart.

Fertilizing and watering

Fertilize before planting and again at midseason, at the same rate as the rest of the garden. Anise prefers uniform moisture especially at or just before harvesting. Alternate rainy and dry periods when the'' seed is near maturity can cause it to turn brown, reducing quality and yield.

Pests

Anise has no serious pest problems.

Diseases

Anise has no serious disease problems.

When and how to harvest

Harvest the anise seed heads approximately 100 days after planting, while they are still green and immature. Be sure to harvest before the first frost.

Storing and preserving

The dry seeds can be stored for months in airtight containers.

Serving suggestions

Add anise to bouillon for fish or veal stews. Sprinkle anise seeds on an apple crisp. Aniseed balls are an old-fashioned favorite children's candy.