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When to Plant Angelica in Benton County, AR

Benton County, Arkansas Zone 7a May

This month in Benton County, Arkansas

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Benton County, Arkansas this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 9
Avg. first frost October 25
Soil temp (4") 65°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 13.9 hrs
  1. Begin indoor sowing: angelica

    Bottom-water once the first true leaves appear — it keeps stems dry and knocks back damping-off.

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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.

Benton County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 199 days.

At an elevation of 905 feet, Benton County receives approximately 50.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Angelica during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Angelica root diseases.

Benton County, AR (Zone 7a) Moderate season
199 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
199 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25
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Benton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: Mar 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 16

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 Benton County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–6.8) overlaps with Angelica's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Benton County is excellent for Angelica — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). 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
1.1″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 758 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 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 5.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 6.5" 3.6" 2.9" 💧 Light watering
May 6.5" 4.3" 2.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 4.3" 2.2" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 5.5" 1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 4.3" 2.2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 4.4" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 6.5" 3.3" 3.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Benton County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — 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" — every day above 50°F 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 ~9,581 GDD — county provides 3,482 GDD May not mature

Angelica Planting Timeline — Benton County, AR

Angelica Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 5 Mar 5 – Mar 19
Transplant Outdoors April 2 Apr 2 – Apr 16
Direct Sow March 26 Mar 26 – Apr 16
Fall Sowing August 16 Aug 16 – Aug 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1.5"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

365–730 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

199 days in Benton County

Growing Tips for Angelica in Benton County

Direct sow Angelica outdoors after April 09 in Benton County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 199.0-day growing season in Benton 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 Benton County, AR?

Benton County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Angelica planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Benton County, AR?

Benton County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 25.

🌱

Your Benton County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Benton County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Benton County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.