When to Plant Angelica in Meagher County, MT
Top priorities for Meagher County, Montana gardeners in May
Your Meagher County, Montana garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for May and why each task matters now.
Looking ahead to June
- Transplants going out: angelica
- Direct-sowing: angelica
- Fall sowing: angelica
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.
Meagher County, Montana is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is June 10 and the first fall frost is September 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 90 days.
At an elevation of 5,072 feet, Meagher County receives approximately 14.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Angelica to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Angelica successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Meagher County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.5-8
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Meagher County
How your county's soil matches Angelica's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.5–8.0) is more alkaline than Angelica prefers (5.5–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Meagher County is excellent for Angelica — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). Annual compost additions will help Angelica.
How to Plant Angelica
Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Plant Water Budget
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" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Jun | 6.5" | 0.9" | 5.6" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 6.5" | 1.1" | 5.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 6.5" | 1.5" | 5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 6.5" | 1.1" | 5.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in Meagher 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 Planting Timeline — Meagher County, MT
Angelica Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 29 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Transplant Outdoors | June 3 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 |
| Direct Sow | June 3 | Jun 3 – Jun 24 |
| Fall Sowing | June 16 | Jun 16 – Jun 30 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Start Indoors |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Fall Sowing |
| July | — |
| 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 4b
📆 Growing Season
90 days in Meagher County
Growing Tips for Angelica in Meagher County
Direct sow Angelica outdoors after June 10 in Meagher County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your 90.0-day growing season in Meagher 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.
Meagher County receives only 14" 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 →
Angelica in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Angelica in Meagher County, MT?
Meagher County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of June 10. Plan your Angelica planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Meagher County, MT?
Meagher County, Montana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is June 10 and first fall frost is September 8.
Your Meagher County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Meagher County (Zone 4b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.