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When to Plant Angelica in Ontario County, NY

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.

Ontario County, New York is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.

At an elevation of 33 feet, Ontario County receives approximately 50 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Angelica to ensure they mature before fall.

Ontario County, NY (Zone 5b) Moderate season
174 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
174 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Ontario County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 25 Transplant: Apr 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: May 7

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
1.2″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 454 gal / 100 sq ft
Angelica needs ~7,118 GDD — county provides 2,262 GDD May not mature

Angelica Planting Timeline โ€” Ontario County, NY

Angelica Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 8
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 6
Direct Sow April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ May 6
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 โ€“ Aug 25

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 โ€”
August Fall Sowing
September โ€”
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 5b

Growing Season

174 days

Growing Tips for Ontario 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 Ontario County, NY?

Ontario County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Angelica planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ontario County, NY?

Ontario County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Ontario 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 Ontario County, NY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.