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When to Plant Angelica in Buffalo County, WI

Buffalo County, Wisconsin Zone 4b May

Buffalo County, Wisconsin gardeners: here's your May plan

May is a pivotal month for Buffalo County, Wisconsin gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost May 12
Avg. first frost September 30
Soil temp (4") 56°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Harden off and plant angelica

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

  2. Scatter angelica into prepared beds

    Mark the row. Birds and stray feet both have opinions about unmarked beds.

Before June arrives, get these ready
  • 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.

Buffalo County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 141 days.

At an elevation of 661 feet, Buffalo County receives approximately 36.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Angelica to ensure they mature before fall.

Buffalo County, WI (Zone 4b) Short season
141 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
141 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30
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Buffalo County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-6.9

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 31 Transplant: May 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 13

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 Buffalo County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.0–6.9) is within Angelica's preferred range (5.5–7.0).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.8%) — 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
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 626 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 6.5" 4.5" 2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 4.6" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 3.8" 2.7" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 3.6" 2.9" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 3.5" 3" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Buffalo 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 1,410 GDD May not mature

Angelica Planting Timeline — Buffalo County, WI

Angelica Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 31 Mar 31 – Apr 14
Transplant Outdoors May 5 May 5 – May 19
Direct Sow May 5 May 5 – May 26
Fall Sowing July 8 Jul 8 – Jul 22

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 · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

365–730 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

141 days in Buffalo County

Growing Tips for Angelica in Buffalo County

Direct sow Angelica outdoors after May 12 in Buffalo County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 141.0-day growing season in Buffalo 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 Buffalo County, WI?

Buffalo County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Angelica planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Buffalo County, WI?

Buffalo County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is September 30.

🌱

Your Buffalo County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Buffalo 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.

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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 Buffalo County, WI. 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.