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When to Plant Valerian in Hampshire County, WV

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.

Hampshire County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 170 days.

At an elevation of 3,578 feet, Hampshire County receives approximately 44.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Valerian during the growing season.

Hampshire County, WV (Zone 6a) Moderate season
170 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
170 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Hampshire County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Sep 3 – Nov 12
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Sep 9 – Nov 18
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 29 🍅 Harvest: Oct 2 – Dec 11

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Valerian needs ~2,625 GDD — county provides 2,975 GDD Good fit

Valerian Planting Timeline โ€” Hampshire County, WV

Valerian Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 6 May 6 โ€“ May 20
Harvest September 9 Sep 9 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 โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
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 6a

Growing Season

170 days

Growing Tips for Hampshire 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 Hampshire County, WV?

Hampshire County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Valerian planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hampshire County, WV?

Hampshire County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Hampshire County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Hampshire County, WV. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.