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When to Plant Valerian in Paulding 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.

Paulding County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.

At an elevation of 914 feet, Paulding County receives approximately 40.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Valerian during the growing season.

Paulding County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
179 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
179 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Paulding County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (5 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Aug 27 – Oct 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (4 days to spare)
Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Sep 5 – Oct 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (2 days to spare)
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Sep 17 – Oct 29

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 90 gal / 100 sq ft
Valerian needs ~2,288 GDD — county provides 2,729 GDD Good fit

Valerian Planting Timeline โ€” Paulding County, OH

Valerian Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 16
Harvest September 5 Sep 5 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 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

179 days

Growing Tips for Paulding 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 Paulding County, OH?

Paulding County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Valerian planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Paulding County, OH?

Paulding County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 21.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Paulding 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 Paulding County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.