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When to Plant Angelica in Norman County, MN

Norman County, Minnesota Zone 4a May

This month in Norman County, Minnesota

Welcome to May in Zone 4a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost May 10
Avg. first frost October 1
Soil temp (4") 48°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.9 hrs
  1. Transplant angelica outside

    Water the tray well an hour before you transplant. Roots slide out cleanly and settle in faster.

  2. Sow angelica where they'll grow

    Thin ruthlessly once seedlings are up. Crowded roots mean smaller crops from every plant.

A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
  • 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.

Norman County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 144 days.

At an elevation of 1,086 feet, Norman County receives approximately 38.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 78°F, so choose short-season varieties of Angelica to ensure they mature before fall.

Norman County, MN (Zone 4a) Short season
144 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
144 growing days
First Fall Frost October 1
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Norman County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Apr 10 Transplant: May 15

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 Norman County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.9–6.9) is within Angelica's preferred range (5.5–7.0).

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Angelica is a heavy drinker but your soil drains very quickly. Mulch heavily and consider drip irrigation.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.0%) — Angelica will thrive.

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
1.1″/week
You supply
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,071 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 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 6.5" 4" 2.5" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 4.5" 2" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 3.8" 2.7" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 4.8" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 3.5" 3" 💧 Light watering
Oct 6.5" 3.3" 3.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Norman 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 ~4,654 GDD — county provides 1,224 GDD May not mature

Angelica Planting Timeline — Norman County, MN

Angelica Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 29 Mar 29 – Apr 12
Transplant Outdoors May 3 May 3 – May 17
Direct Sow May 3 May 3 – May 24
Fall Sowing July 9 Jul 9 – Jul 23

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June
July Fall Sowing
August
September
October
November
December
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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 4a

📆 Growing Season

144 days in Norman County

Growing Tips for Angelica in Norman County

Direct sow Angelica outdoors after May 10 in Norman County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 144.0-day growing season in Norman 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 Norman County, MN?

Norman County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Angelica planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Norman County, MN?

Norman County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 1.

🌱

Your Norman County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Norman County (Zone 4a). 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 Norman County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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