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When to Plant Valerian in Carlisle County, KY

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.

Carlisle County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 217 days.

At an elevation of 4,000 feet, Carlisle County receives approximately 44.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Valerian during the growing season.

Carlisle County, KY (Zone 6b) Long season
217 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
217 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Carlisle County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (17 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Oct 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (14 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: Aug 8 – Oct 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (8 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Aug 26 – Nov 4

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 264 gal / 100 sq ft
Valerian needs ~2,625 GDD — county provides 3,797 GDD Excellent fit

Valerian Planting Timeline โ€” Carlisle County, KY

Valerian Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 18
Harvest August 8 Aug 8 โ€“ Oct 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

120โ€“180 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6b

Growing Season

217 days

Growing Tips for Carlisle 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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Valerian in Carlisle County, KY?

Carlisle County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Valerian planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Carlisle County, KY?

Carlisle County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is October 31.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Carlisle County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Carlisle County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.