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When to Plant Angelica in Butte County, ID

Butte County, Idaho Zone 4b April

Your April planting checklist for Butte County, Idaho

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Butte County, Idaho this April and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost June 1
Avg. first frost September 14
Soil temp (4") 19°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 13.2 hrs
May will be here before you know it — start on
  • Transplants going out: angelica
  • Direct-sowing: angelica

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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.

Butte County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is June 1 and the first fall frost is September 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 105 days.

At an elevation of 7,254 feet, Butte County receives approximately 24 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Angelica to ensure they mature before fall.

Butte County, ID (Zone 4b) Short season
105 days
Last Spring Frost June 1
105 growing days
First Fall Frost September 14
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Butte County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: May 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Apr 20 Transplant: May 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: May 6 Transplant: Jun 10

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 Butte County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8–8.4) is more alkaline than Angelica prefers (5.5–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Butte County is excellent for Angelica — 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 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 606 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Jun 6.5" 1.9" 4.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 6.5" 1.9" 4.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 6.5" 2.7" 3.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 6.5" 1.7" 4.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in Butte 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 ~7,118 GDD — county provides 1,365 GDD May not mature

Angelica Planting Timeline — Butte County, ID

Angelica Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 20 Apr 20 – May 4
Transplant Outdoors May 25 May 25 – Jun 8
Direct Sow May 25 May 25 – Jun 15
Fall Sowing June 22 Jun 22 – Jul 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Start Indoors
May Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Fall Sowing
July Fall Sowing
August
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: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

105 days in Butte County

Growing Tips for Angelica in Butte County

Direct sow Angelica outdoors after June 01 in Butte County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 105.0-day growing season in Butte 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.

Butte County receives only 24" of rain annually. Angelica needs consistent moisture — 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 Butte County, ID?

Butte County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of June 1. Plan your Angelica planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Butte County, ID?

Butte County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is June 1 and first fall frost is September 14.

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Your Butte County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Butte County (Zone 4b). 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 Butte County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.

Sources & credits

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