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When to Plant Angelica in Loving County, TX

Loving County, Texas Zone 8a May

May to-do list for Loving County, Texas

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost March 27
Avg. first frost November 6
Soil temp (4") 68°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Start angelica indoors

    Your window is short. These crops want several weeks of indoor growth before they go outside.

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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.

Loving County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 224 days.

At an elevation of 1,464 feet, Loving County receives approximately 53 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 98°F, so Angelica may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Angelica will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Angelica root diseases.

Loving County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
224 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
224 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6
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Loving County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.3-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Mar 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Mar 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 11

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 Loving County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.3–8.3) is more alkaline than Angelica prefers (5.5–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Loving County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Angelica will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (0.9%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting 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
1.0″/week
You supply
1.2″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,288 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 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 6.5" 2.7" 3.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Apr 6.5" 1.5" 5" 🚿 Regular watering
May 6.5" 1.2" 5.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 6.5" 1.8" 4.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 6.5" 9.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 6.5" 11.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 6.5" 7.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 6.5" 4.7" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Nov 6.5" 2.8" 3.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Loving 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 ~12,866 GDD — county provides 5,264 GDD May not mature

Angelica Planting Timeline — Loving County, TX

Angelica Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 20 Feb 20 – Mar 6
Transplant Outdoors March 20 Mar 20 – Apr 3
Direct Sow March 13 Mar 13 – Apr 3
Fall Sowing August 28 Aug 28 – Sep 11

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 Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
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: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

224 days in Loving County

Growing Tips for Angelica in Loving County

Direct sow Angelica outdoors after March 27 in Loving County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Loving County dries quickly — mulch Angelica with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 98°F in Loving County, provide afternoon shade for Angelica and water deeply in the morning.

Your 224.0-day growing season in Loving 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 Loving County, TX?

Loving County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 27. Plan your Angelica planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Loving County, TX?

Loving County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 27 and first fall frost is November 6.

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Your Loving County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Loving 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.

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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 Loving County, TX. 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.