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When to Plant Salsify in Clark County, WI

Salsify is a root vegetable with a subtle oyster-like flavor, earning it the nickname "oyster plant." It produces long, slender, cream-colored roots.

Clark County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 140 days.

At an elevation of 850 feet, Clark County receives approximately 39.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 82ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Salsify to ensure they mature before fall.

Clark County, WI (Zone 4a) Short season
140 days
Last Spring Frost May 13
140 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Clark County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Aug 18 – Sep 29
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Aug 26 – Oct 7
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Sep 3 – Oct 15

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Salsify needs ~1,322 GDD — county provides 1,610 GDD Good fit

Salsify Planting Timeline โ€” Clark County, WI

Salsify Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 6 May 6 โ€“ May 27
Fall Sowing July 8 Jul 8 โ€“ Jul 22
Harvest August 19 Aug 19 โ€“ Sep 30

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

100โ€“130 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 4a

Growing Season

140 days

Growing Tips for Clark County

Direct sow in spring in deeply worked, stone-free soil. Use fresh seed only as viability drops quickly. Harvest in late fall after frost for best flavor.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Salsify in Clark County, WI?

Clark County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 13. Plan your Salsify planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clark County, WI?

Clark County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 13 and first fall frost is September 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Clark County gardeners in Zone 4a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Clark County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.