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When to Plant Salsify in Door 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.

Door County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is October 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 150 days.

At an elevation of 564 feet, Door County receives approximately 41.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Salsify during the growing season.

Door County, WI (Zone 5a) Moderate season
150 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
150 growing days
First Fall Frost October 8

Door County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (4 days to spare)
Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Aug 18 – Sep 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (3 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 24 – Oct 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (5 days to spare)
Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Sep 8 – Oct 20

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
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 208 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Salsify needs ~1,754 GDD — county provides 2,287 GDD Excellent fit

Salsify Planting Timeline โ€” Door County, WI

Salsify Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 18
Fall Sowing July 30 Jul 30 โ€“ Aug 13
Harvest August 10 Aug 10 โ€“ Sep 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Direct Sow
May Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing
August Fall Sowing 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 5a

Growing Season

150 days

Growing Tips for Door 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 Door County, WI?

Door County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Salsify planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Door County, WI?

Door County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is October 8.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Door County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Door County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.