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When to Plant Angelica in Johnson County, KY

Johnson County, Kentucky Zone 7a May

May to-do list for Johnson County, Kentucky

Here's what deserves your attention in Johnson County, Kentucky this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 7a and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost April 14
Avg. first frost October 26
Soil temp (4") 54°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14 hrs
  1. Time to start angelica inside

    Label every cell. You will absolutely forget which is which otherwise.

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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.

Johnson County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 195 days.

At an elevation of 3,308 feet, Johnson County receives approximately 47 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Angelica during the growing season.

Johnson County, KY (Zone 7a) Moderate season
195 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
195 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26
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Johnson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: Apr 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 Johnson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–7.0) overlaps with Angelica's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Angelica.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.0%). 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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 78 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 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 5.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 6.5" 4.1" 2.4" 💧 Light watering
May 6.5" 3.5" 3" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 4.6" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 4.6" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 4.4" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 3.5" 3" 💧 Light watering
Oct 6.5" 2.6" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Johnson 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 ~7,939 GDD — county provides 2,827 GDD May not mature

Angelica Planting Timeline — Johnson County, KY

Angelica Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 10 Mar 10 – Mar 24
Transplant Outdoors April 7 Apr 7 – Apr 21
Direct Sow March 31 Mar 31 – Apr 21
Fall Sowing August 17 Aug 17 – Aug 31

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 · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

365–730 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

195 days in Johnson County

Growing Tips for Angelica in Johnson County

Direct sow Angelica outdoors after April 14 in Johnson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 195.0-day growing season in Johnson 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 Johnson County, KY?

Johnson County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Angelica planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Johnson County, KY?

Johnson County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 26.

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Your Johnson County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Johnson 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 Johnson County, KY. 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.