Blog

When to plant Angelica in Dawson County County,

Dawson County County sits in USDA Zone 4a. Plant Angelica between May 7 (after last frost on May 14) and May 28. A second sowing from June 30 to July 14 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Angelica in Dawson County, MT

Dawson County, Montana Zone 4a June

What to do in June

June rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Dawson County, Montana.

Avg. last frost May 14
Avg. first frost September 22
Soil temp (4") 44°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.7 hrs
  1. Get angelica seeds going inside

    Starting these indoors now means sturdy transplants ready the moment your soil warms up.

  2. Direct-sow angelica for cool weather

    Your first frost is about 14 weeks away — plenty of time for these to mature.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Dawson County, Montana is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is September 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 131 days.

At an elevation of 6,445 feet, Dawson County receives approximately 21.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Angelica to ensure they mature before fall.

Dawson County, MT (Zone 4a) Short season
131 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
131 growing days
First Fall Frost September 22

Dawson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-8.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Angelica Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: May 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Apr 15 Transplant: May 20

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 Dawson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8–8.2) is more alkaline than Angelica prefers (5.5–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Dawson 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 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 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Angelica Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
1.5″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,746 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 6.5" 2.8" 3.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 6.5" 1.4" 5.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 6.5" 2" 4.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 6.5" 2.1" 4.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 6.5" 2" 4.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Dawson 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 1,310 GDD May not mature

Angelica Planting Timeline — Dawson County, MT

Angelica Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 2 Apr 2 – Apr 16
Transplant Outdoors May 7 May 7 – May 21
Direct Sow May 7 May 7 – May 28
Fall Sowing June 30 Jun 30 – Jul 14

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

📆 Growing Season

131 days in Dawson County

Growing Tips for Angelica in Dawson County

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

Your 131.0-day growing season in Dawson 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.

Dawson County receives only 22" 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 Dawson County, MT?

Dawson County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Angelica planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dawson County, MT?

Dawson County, Montana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is September 22.

When should I plant Angelica in Dawson County County, ?

In Dawson County County, , plant Angelica after the last frost (around May 14) and before the first frost (around September 22). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Dawson County County, for Angelica?

Dawson County County sits in USDA Zone 4a. Angelica grows reliably in zones 3a through 8b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Angelica grow in Dawson County County's climate?

Yes — Angelica grows well in Dawson County County's temperate climate. Dawson County County averages a 131-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 14 and first frost around September 22.

🌱

Your Dawson County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Dawson 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.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Dawson County, MT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.