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When to Plant Angelica in Bonner County, ID

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.

Bonner County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 151 days.

At an elevation of 7,480 feet, Bonner County receives approximately 12.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Angelica during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Angelica successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Bonner County, ID (Zone 5b) Moderate season
151 days
Last Spring Frost May 5
151 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3

Bonner County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-8.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: Apr 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 31 Transplant: Apr 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Apr 27 Transplant: May 25

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 Bonner County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4โ€“8.2) is more alkaline than Angelica prefers (5.5โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Bonner County is excellent for Angelica โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). Annual compost additions will help Angelica.

How to Plant Angelica

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

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.4″/week
You supply
1.4″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,840 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Angelica

Angelica needs approximately 1.5 inches of water per week (6.5" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Angelica Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 0.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 0.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 6.5" 1.5" 5" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jun 6.5" 0.9" 5.6" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 6.5" 1.1" 5.4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Aug 6.5" 1.2" 5.3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Sep 6.5" 1.1" 5.4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct 6.5" 1.1" 5.4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Nov โ€” 0.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 0.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Oct in Bonner County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Angelica 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" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF 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.

Angelica needs ~7,939 GDD — county provides 2,189 GDD May not mature

Angelica Planting Timeline โ€” Bonner County, ID

Angelica Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 14
Transplant Outdoors April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ May 12
Direct Sow April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 12
Fall Sowing July 25 Jul 25 โ€“ Aug 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1.5"/week ยท 2-3 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

365โ€“730 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.5โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

151 days in Bonner County

Growing Tips for Angelica in Bonner County

Direct sow Angelica outdoors after May 05 in Bonner County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 151.0-day growing season in Bonner County is tight for Angelica (365.0-730.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Common pests for Angelica in this region include carrot rust fly and parsleyworm. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Bonner County receives only 13" of rain annually. Angelica needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Angelica in Bonner County, ID?

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

What planting zone is Bonner County, ID?

Bonner County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 5 and first fall frost is October 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bonner County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Bonner County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.