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When to Plant Angelica in White County, AR

White County, Arkansas Zone 8a May

What to do in May

A quick May briefing for White County, Arkansas gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost March 25
Avg. first frost November 5
Soil temp (4") 67°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.9 hrs

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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.

White County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost is November 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 225 days.

At an elevation of 851 feet, White County receives approximately 49.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Angelica during the growing season.

White County, AR (Zone 8a) Long season
225 days
Last Spring Frost March 25
225 growing days
First Fall Frost November 5

White County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Mar 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 5

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 White County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.2–7.1) overlaps with Angelica's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.2%). 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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,168 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 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 6.5" 5" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Apr 6.5" 3.7" 2.8" 💧 Light watering
May 6.5" 3.5" 3" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 4.3" 2.2" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 5.7" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 4.9" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 3.8" 2.7" 💧 Light watering
Oct 6.5" 3.1" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 6.5" 4.1" 2.4" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in White 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 3,937 GDD May not mature

Angelica Planting Timeline — White County, AR

Angelica Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 18 Feb 18 – Mar 4
Transplant Outdoors March 18 Mar 18 – Apr 1
Direct Sow March 11 Mar 11 – Apr 1
Fall Sowing August 27 Aug 27 – Sep 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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 8a

📆 Growing Season

225 days in White County

Growing Tips for Angelica in White County

Direct sow Angelica outdoors after March 25 in White County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 225.0-day growing season in White 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 White County, AR?

White County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 25. Plan your Angelica planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is White County, AR?

White County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 25 and first fall frost is November 5.

🌱

Your White County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for White County (Zone 8a). 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 White 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.