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When to Plant Valerian in Ozaukee County, WI

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.

Ozaukee County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 167 days.

At an elevation of 1,277 feet, Ozaukee County receives approximately 32.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Valerian to ensure they mature before fall.

Ozaukee County, WI (Zone 5a) Moderate season
167 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
167 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Ozaukee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Sep 4 – Oct 16
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Sep 7 – Oct 19
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Sep 23 – 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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 717 gal / 100 sq ft
Valerian needs ~1,950 GDD — county provides 2,171 GDD Good fit

Valerian Planting Timeline โ€” Ozaukee County, WI

Valerian Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 4 May 4 โ€“ May 18
Harvest September 7 Sep 7 โ€“ Oct 19

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 5a

Growing Season

167 days

Growing Tips for Ozaukee 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 Ozaukee County, WI?

Ozaukee County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Valerian planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ozaukee County, WI?

Ozaukee County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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