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When to Plant Valerian in Noble County, OK

Noble County, Oklahoma Zone 7a May

May in Noble County, Oklahoma — your action list

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Noble County, Oklahoma this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 7
Avg. first frost October 28
Soil temp (4") 68°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.9 hrs

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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.

Noble County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 204 days.

At an elevation of 547 feet, Noble County receives approximately 24.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Valerian during the growing season.

Noble County, OK (Zone 7a) Long season
204 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
204 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28
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Noble County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Aug 11 – Nov 17
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Aug 18 – Nov 24
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Sep 1 – Dec 8

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 Noble County

How your county's soil matches Valerian's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4–7.2) overlaps with Valerian's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Noble County is excellent for Valerian — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Valerian.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.9%). Annual compost additions will help Valerian.

How to Plant Valerian

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
1.0″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,747 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Valerian

Valerian needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Valerian Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Noble County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Valerian 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.

Valerian needs ~2,850 GDD — county provides 3,876 GDD Excellent fit

Valerian Planting Timeline — Noble County, OK

Valerian Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 – Apr 28
Harvest August 18 Aug 18 – Nov 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

120–180 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

204 days in Noble County

Growing Tips for Valerian in Noble County

Direct sow Valerian outdoors after April 07 in Noble County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Noble County receives only 24" of rain annually. Valerian needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

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 Noble County, OK?

Noble County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 7. Plan your Valerian planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Noble County, OK?

Noble County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is October 28.

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Your Noble County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Noble County (Zone 7a). 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 Noble County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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