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When to Plant Valerian in Cass County, NE

Valerian is a tall perennial herb with fragrant white or pink flower clusters, valued for its root which is used as a natural sleep aid. It attracts pollinators and earthworms.

Cass County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 172 days.

At an elevation of 779 feet, Cass County receives approximately 20.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Valerian during the growing season.

Cass County, NE (Zone 6a) Moderate season
172 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
172 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Cass County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Valerian Planting Timeline — Cass County, NE

Valerian Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 29 Apr 29 – May 13
Harvest September 2 Sep 2 – Nov 11

Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Transplant Outdoors
May Transplant Outdoors
June
July
August
September Harvest
October Harvest
November Harvest
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

120–180 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

172 days in Cass County

Growing Tips for Cass County

Start seeds indoors and transplant after last frost. Harvest roots in fall of the second year. Deadhead flowers unless you want self-seeding. Cats are attracted to valerian root.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Valerian in Cass County, NE?

Cass County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Valerian planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cass County, NE?

Cass County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 11.

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Your Cass County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Cass County (Zone 6a). 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 Cass County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.