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When to Plant Angelica in Caddo Parish, LA

Caddo Parish, Louisiana Zone 8b May

What to do in May

Each item below is timed to Caddo Parish, Louisiana's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost March 13
Avg. first frost November 14
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.7 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.

Caddo Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 13 and the first fall frost is November 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 246 days.

At an elevation of 446 feet, Caddo Parish receives approximately 49 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Angelica during the growing season.

Caddo Parish, LA (Zone 8b) Long season
246 days
Last Spring Frost March 13
246 growing days
First Fall Frost November 14

Caddo Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Jan 31 Transplant: Feb 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: Mar 27

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 Caddo Parish

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.8–7.0) is within Angelica's preferred range (5.5–7.0).

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Caddo Parish is excellent for Angelica — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). 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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,743 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 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 6.5" 5" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Apr 6.5" 3.9" 2.6" 💧 Light watering
May 6.5" 3.8" 2.7" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 4.6" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 5.5" 1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 4.6" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 4" 2.5" 💧 Light watering
Oct 6.5" 2.9" 3.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 6.5" 3.7" 2.8" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Caddo Parish). 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 ~10,402 GDD — county provides 4,674 GDD May not mature

Angelica Planting Timeline — Caddo Parish, LA

Angelica Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 6 Feb 6 – Feb 20
Transplant Outdoors March 6 Mar 6 – Mar 20
Direct Sow February 27 Feb 27 – Mar 20
Fall Sowing September 5 Sep 5 – Sep 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

246 days in Caddo Parish

Growing Tips for Angelica in Caddo Parish

Direct sow Angelica outdoors after March 13 in Caddo Parish when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 246.0-day growing season in Caddo Parish 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 Caddo Parish, LA?

Caddo Parish is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 13. Plan your Angelica planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Caddo Parish, LA?

Caddo Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 13 and first fall frost is November 14.

🌱

Your Caddo Parish Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Caddo Parish (Zone 8b). 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 Caddo Parish, LA. 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.