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When to Plant Angelica in Camas County, ID

Camas County, Idaho Zone 5a April

Your April gardening checklist

Here's what deserves your attention in Camas County, Idaho this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 5a and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost May 3
Avg. first frost October 3
Soil temp (4") 29°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 13.2 hrs
  1. Set out angelica seedlings

    Harden off for 7 days — a little more sun each day — before planting. That's the difference between a seedling that thrives and one that stalls.

  2. Put angelica seeds straight in the ground

    These tolerate cool soil, so you're not gambling by sowing now.

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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.

Camas County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 153 days.

At an elevation of 5,406 feet, Camas County receives approximately 21.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Angelica during the growing season.

Camas County, ID (Zone 5a) Moderate season
153 days
Last Spring Frost May 3
153 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3

Camas County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-8.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 25 Transplant: Apr 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: Apr 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Apr 27 Transplant: May 25

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 Camas County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4–8.2) is more alkaline than Angelica prefers (5.5–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Camas 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
0.6″/week
You supply
1.1″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,491 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 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 6.5" 2.3" 4.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 6.5" 1.4" 5.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 6.5" 2" 4.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 6.5" 2.4" 4.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 6.5" 1.6" 4.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 6.5" 1.7" 4.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Camas 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 ~8,349 GDD — county provides 2,333 GDD May not mature

Angelica Planting Timeline — Camas County, ID

Angelica Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 29 Mar 29 – Apr 12
Transplant Outdoors April 26 Apr 26 – May 10
Direct Sow April 19 Apr 19 – May 10
Fall Sowing July 25 Jul 25 – Aug 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1.5"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

365–730 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

153 days in Camas County

Growing Tips for Angelica in Camas County

Direct sow Angelica outdoors after May 03 in Camas County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 153.0-day growing season in Camas 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.

Camas County receives only 21" 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 Camas County, ID?

Camas County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 3. Plan your Angelica planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Camas County, ID?

Camas County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 3.

🌱

Your Camas County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Camas County (Zone 5a). 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 Camas 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.