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When to Plant Valerian in Schleicher County, TX

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.

Schleicher County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is November 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 221 days.

At an elevation of 3,657 feet, Schleicher County receives approximately 49.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Valerian during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Valerian will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Schleicher County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
221 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
221 growing days
First Fall Frost November 8

Schleicher County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.5-8.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Nov 7
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Nov 18
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Aug 26 – Dec 2

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 122 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Valerian needs ~3,075 GDD — county provides 4,530 GDD Excellent fit

Valerian Planting Timeline โ€” Schleicher County, TX

Valerian Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 22
Harvest August 12 Aug 12 โ€“ Nov 18

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 Harvest
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 7b

Growing Season

221 days

Growing Tips for Schleicher 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 Schleicher County, TX?

Schleicher County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 1. Plan your Valerian planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Schleicher County, TX?

Schleicher County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 1 and first fall frost is November 8.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Schleicher County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Schleicher County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.