When to Plant Angelica in Douglas County, WI
May in Douglas County, Wisconsin — your action list
A quick May briefing for Douglas County, Wisconsin gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.
-
Harden off and plant angelica
Bring a watering can to the bed. Each transplant gets a drink the moment it's in the ground, not ten minutes later.
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Plant angelica from seed, right in the garden
Thin ruthlessly once seedlings are up. Crowded roots mean smaller crops from every plant.
June will be here before you know it — start on
- Starting indoors: 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.
Douglas County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost is September 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 135 days.
At an elevation of 1,147 feet, Douglas County receives approximately 31.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 79°F, so choose short-season varieties of Angelica to ensure they mature before fall.
Douglas County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.9-6.7
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 Douglas County
How your county's soil matches Angelica's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.9–6.7) is within Angelica's preferred range (5.5–7.0).
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Douglas County is excellent for Angelica — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.7%) — Angelica will thrive.
How to Plant Angelica
Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 3.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 6.5" | 3.4" | 3.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 6.5" | 3.6" | 2.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 6.5" | 3.2" | 3.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 6.5" | 3.1" | 3.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 6.5" | 2.7" | 3.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | — | 2.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Douglas 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 — Douglas County, WI
Angelica Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 4 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 9 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Direct Sow | May 9 | May 9 – May 30 |
| Fall Sowing | July 6 | Jul 6 – Jul 20 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Fall Sowing |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
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 4a
📆 Growing Season
135 days in Douglas County
Growing Tips for Angelica in Douglas County
Direct sow Angelica outdoors after May 16 in Douglas County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your 135.0-day growing season in Douglas 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 →
Angelica in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Angelica in Douglas County, WI?
Douglas County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 16. Plan your Angelica planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Douglas County, WI?
Douglas County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 16 and first fall frost is September 28.
Your Douglas County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Douglas 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.