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When to Plant Angelica in Murray County, MN

Murray County, Minnesota Zone 5a May

May to-do list for Murray County, Minnesota

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Murray County, Minnesota this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost May 4
Avg. first frost October 2
Soil temp (4") 52°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.6 hrs
Before June arrives, get these ready
  • Starting indoors: 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.

Murray County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 151 days.

At an elevation of 1,278 feet, Murray County receives approximately 38 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Angelica to ensure they mature before fall.

Murray County, MN (Zone 5a) Moderate season
151 days
Last Spring Frost May 4
151 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2
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Murray County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: Apr 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: Apr 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Apr 11 Transplant: May 9

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 Murray County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–7.3) overlaps with Angelica's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.9%). 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
1.1″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 595 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 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 6.5" 4" 2.5" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 5" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 4.1" 2.4" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 4" 2.5" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 2.8" 3.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 6.5" 2.9" 3.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Murray 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 ~5,475 GDD — county provides 1,510 GDD May not mature

Angelica Planting Timeline — Murray County, MN

Angelica Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 30 Mar 30 – Apr 13
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 – May 11
Direct Sow April 20 Apr 20 – May 11
Fall Sowing July 24 Jul 24 – Aug 7

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
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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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

151 days in Murray County

Growing Tips for Angelica in Murray County

Direct sow Angelica outdoors after May 04 in Murray County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 151.0-day growing season in Murray 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 Murray County, MN?

Murray County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 4. Plan your Angelica planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Murray County, MN?

Murray County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 4 and first fall frost is October 2.

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Your Murray County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Murray 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 Murray County, MN. 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.