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When to Plant Valerian in Ottawa County, OH

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.

Ottawa County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 183 days.

At an elevation of 1,264 feet, Ottawa County receives approximately 31.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Valerian during the growing season.

Ottawa County, OH (Zone 6b) Moderate season
183 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
183 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Ottawa County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Valerian Planting Timeline — Ottawa County, OH

Valerian Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 – May 16
Harvest September 5 Sep 5 – Nov 14

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
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 6b

📆 Growing Season

183 days in Ottawa County

Growing Tips for Ottawa 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 Ottawa County, OH?

Ottawa County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Valerian planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ottawa County, OH?

Ottawa County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 25.

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Your Ottawa County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Ottawa County (Zone 6b). 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 Ottawa County, OH. 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.