Blog

When to Plant Angelica in Cotton County, OK

Cotton County, Oklahoma Zone 8a May

Your May gardening checklist

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

Avg. last frost March 25
Avg. first frost November 10
Soil temp (4") 66°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.8 hrs

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.

Cotton County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 230 days.

At an elevation of 1,015 feet, Cotton County receives approximately 20.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Angelica during the growing season.

Cotton County, OK (Zone 8a) Long season
230 days
Last Spring Frost March 25
230 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10
Share this guide:

Cotton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Mar 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Mar 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 8

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 Cotton County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–7.5) overlaps with Angelica's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.8%). 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
0.4″/week
You supply
1.1″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,300 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 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 6.5" 1.4" 5.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Apr 6.5" 2.2" 4.3" 🚿 Regular watering
May 6.5" 2.7" 3.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 6.5" 2.9" 3.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 6.5" 2.9" 3.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 6.5" 2.6" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 6.5" 1.9" 4.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 6.5" 1.5" 5" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 6.5" 0.8" 5.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Cotton 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 ~10,402 GDD — county provides 4,370 GDD May not mature

Angelica Planting Timeline — Cotton County, OK

Angelica Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 18 Feb 18 – Mar 4
Transplant Outdoors March 18 Mar 18 – Apr 1
Direct Sow March 11 Mar 11 – Apr 1
Fall Sowing September 1 Sep 1 – Sep 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June
July
August
September Fall Sowing
October
November
December
Share this guide:

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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

230 days in Cotton County

Growing Tips for Angelica in Cotton County

Direct sow Angelica outdoors after March 25 in Cotton County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 230.0-day growing season in Cotton 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.

Cotton County receives only 21" 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 Cotton County, OK?

Cotton County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 25. Plan your Angelica planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cotton County, OK?

Cotton County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 25 and first fall frost is November 10.

🌱

Your Cotton County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Cotton County (Zone 8a). 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 Cotton County, OK. 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.