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When to Plant Angelica in Bay County, FL

Angelica is a dramatic biennial herb that can reach 6 feet tall with large compound leaves and globe-shaped flower clusters. All parts are edible with a sweet, celery-like flavor.

Bay County, Florida is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and the first fall frost is November 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 260 days.

At an elevation of 388 feet, Bay County receives approximately 50.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Angelica during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Angelica will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Angelica root diseases.

Bay County, FL (Zone 8b) Long season
260 days
Last Spring Frost March 5
260 growing days
First Fall Frost November 20

Bay County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.2-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Jan 19 Transplant: Feb 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Feb 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Mar 20

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
1.4″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 3,167 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Angelica needs ~9,581 GDD — county provides 4,550 GDD May not mature

Angelica Planting Timeline โ€” Bay County, FL

Angelica Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 29 Jan 29 โ€“ Feb 12
Transplant Outdoors February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 12
Direct Sow February 19 Feb 19 โ€“ Mar 12
Fall Sowing September 11 Sep 11 โ€“ Sep 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April โ€”
May โ€”
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

High โ€” keep soil consistently moist

Days to Maturity

365โ€“730 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 8b

Growing Season

260 days

Growing Tips for Bay County

Sow fresh seeds in fall for spring germination. Provide rich, moist soil and partial shade. Harvest stems in the second year before flowering for candying or flavoring.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Angelica in Bay County, FL?

Bay County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 5. Plan your Angelica planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bay County, FL?

Bay County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and first fall frost is November 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bay County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Bay County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.