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When to Plant Angelica in Bennington County, VT

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.

Bennington County, Vermont is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 146 days.

At an elevation of 1,063 feet, Bennington County receives approximately 44.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Angelica during the growing season.

Bennington County, VT (Zone 5a) Short season
146 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
146 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Bennington County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Apr 1 Transplant: Apr 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: May 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Apr 21 Transplant: May 19

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 Bennington County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.0โ€“6.6) overlaps with Angelica's range (5.5โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.6%). 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
1.3″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 274 gal / 100 sq ft

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€” 3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 3.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 3.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 3.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 6.5" 4.4" 2.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 6.5" 4" 2.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 6.5" 4.3" 2.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 6.5" 4" 2.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 6.5" 3.7" 2.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 6.5" 3.7" 2.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 3.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 3.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Oct in Bennington 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 ~8,349 GDD — county provides 2,226 GDD May not mature

Angelica Planting Timeline โ€” Bennington County, VT

Angelica Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 21
Transplant Outdoors May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 19
Direct Sow April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ May 19
Fall Sowing July 27 Jul 27 โ€“ Aug 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors 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 Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

365โ€“730 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.5โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

146 days in Bennington County

Growing Tips for Angelica in Bennington County

Direct sow Angelica outdoors after May 12 in Bennington County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 146.0-day growing season in Bennington 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.

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 Bennington County, VT?

Bennington County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Angelica planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bennington County, VT?

Bennington County, Vermont is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is October 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bennington County gardeners in Zone 5a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Bennington County, VT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.