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When to Plant Valerian in Henry 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.

Henry County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 172 days.

At an elevation of 746 feet, Henry County receives approximately 38.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Valerian during the growing season.

Henry County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
172 days
Last Spring Frost April 28
172 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Henry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Sep 3 – Oct 15
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Sep 8 – Oct 20
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Sep 24 – Nov 5

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 84 gal / 100 sq ft
Valerian needs ~2,175 GDD — county provides 2,494 GDD Good fit

Valerian Planting Timeline โ€” Henry County, OH

Valerian Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 19
Harvest September 8 Sep 8 โ€“ Oct 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
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 5b

Growing Season

172 days

Growing Tips for Henry 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 Henry County, OH?

Henry County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 28. Plan your Valerian planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Henry County, OH?

Henry County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 28 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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